Question 22.1: Writing Electron Configurations for Transition Metals Write ...
Writing Electron Configurations for Transition Metals
Write the ground state electron configuration for Zr.
Identify the noble gas that precedes the element and write it in square brackets.
[Kr]
Count down the periods to determine the outer principal quantum level this is the quantum level for the s orbital.
Subtract one to obtain the quantum level for the d orbital. If the element is in the third or fourth transition series, include (n – 2)f ^{14 }electrons in the configuration.
Zr is in the fifth period, so the orbitals used are
[Kr] 5s4d
Count across the row to see how many electrons are in the neutral atom and fill the orbitals accordingly. Zr has four more electrons than Kr.
[Kr] 5s^24d^2
For an ion, remove the required number of electrons, first from the s and then from the d orbitals.