Question

question 15 (2 points) write a shorthand electron configuration for the zinc ion (zn2+).

Explanation:

Step1: Determine zinc's atomic number

Zinc (Zn) has an atomic number of 30, so neutral Zn has 30 electrons.

Step2: Consider the ion charge

The zinc ion is Zn²⁺, which means it has lost 2 electrons. So, Zn²⁺ has 30 - 2=28 electrons.

Step3: Write the electron - configuration

Using the noble - gas shorthand, the nearest noble gas before Zn is argon (Ar) which has 18 electrons. So, we start with [Ar]. Then we account for the remaining 28 - 18 = 10 electrons. The electron - configuration of the remaining electrons is 3d¹⁰. So the shorthand electron - configuration of Zn²⁺ is [Ar]3d¹⁰.

Answer:

[Ar]3d¹⁰