Question

select all the correct answers. the electron configurations of some elements are given. based on the electron configurations, which elements can likely form ions with multiple charges?
□ zinc ar 3d¹⁰ 4s²
□ iron ar 3d⁶ 4s²
□ sodium ne 3s¹
□ cobalt ar 3d⁷ 4s²
□ silver kr 4d¹⁰ 5s¹

Explanation:

To determine which elements can form ions with multiple charges, we analyze their electron configurations, focusing on transition metals (with partially filled d - orbitals) as they can lose electrons from both the d - orbitals and s - orbitals.

1. Zinc ([Ar] \(3d^{10}4s^{2}\)):

• The \(3d\) orbital is completely filled. Zinc typically loses the 2 electrons from the \(4s\) orbital to form a \(Zn^{2 + }\) ion. It does not have multiple stable oxidation states from losing d - electrons since the d - orbital is full, so it usually forms ions with a single charge ( + 2).

1. Iron ([Ar] \(3d^{6}4s^{2}\)):

• Iron is a transition metal with a partially filled \(3d\) orbital. It can lose 2 electrons from the \(4s\) orbital to form \(Fe^{2+}\) and can also lose one more electron from the \(3d\) orbital to form \(Fe^{3+}\). So, iron can form ions with multiple charges.

1. Sodium ([Ne] \(3s^{1}\)):

• Sodium is an alkali metal. It has only one valence electron in the \(3s\) orbital. It readily loses this one electron to form a \(Na^{+}\) ion and does not form ions with multiple charges.

1. Cobalt ([Ar] \(3d^{7}4s^{2}\)):

• Cobalt is a transition metal with a partially filled \(3d\) orbital. It can lose 2 electrons from the \(4s\) orbital to form \(Co^{2+}\) and can also lose more electrons from the \(3d\) orbital to form \(Co^{3+}\) (and other higher oxidation states in some compounds). So, cobalt can form ions with multiple charges.

1. Silver ([Kr] \(4d^{10}5s^{1}\)):

• The \(4d\) orbital is completely filled. Silver typically loses the 1 electron from the \(5s\) orbital to form \(Ag^{+}\). Although in some rare cases it can form \(Ag^{2+}\), its most common and stable ion is \(Ag^{+}\), so it is not considered to form ions with multiple charges as readily as iron and cobalt.

Answer:

B. Iron [Ar] \(3d^{6}4s^{2}\)
D. cobalt [Ar] \(3d^{7}4s^{2}\)