What is the correct electron configuration of the calcium cation? A) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s¹ B) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s¹3p⁶4s² C) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶ D) 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶3d¹⁰

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The calcium cation (Ca^2+) has lost two electrons compared to its neutral state. The electron configuration for neutral calcium (Ca) is [Ar] 4s^2. When it becomes a cation by losing two electrons, it loses the two 4s electrons, resulting in the electron configuration of [Ar], which is equivalent to the configuration of argon. This matches option C, which, when translated from the given format, represents the electron configuration of argon (1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6).

What Is the Correct Electron Configuration of the Calcium Cation