Multiple Choice
What is the ground-state electron configuration of aluminum (Al, atomic number 13) using noble-gas shorthand?
30
views
9. Electrons in Atoms and the Periodic Table
The Electron Configuration (Simplified)
Multiple Choice
What is the electron configuration of (lithium ion)?
A
B
C
D
Verified step by step guidance1
Start by writing the electron configuration of a neutral lithium (Li) atom. Lithium has an atomic number of 3, so it has 3 electrons. The configuration is \(1\,s^{2} 2\,s^{1}\).
Understand that the lithium ion \(\mathrm{Li}^{+}\) means the atom has lost one electron, so it now has 2 electrons instead of 3.
Remove one electron from the highest energy level (the outermost shell) of the neutral lithium configuration. Since the outermost electron is in the \(2\,s\) orbital, remove that electron.
After removing the electron, the electron configuration for \(\mathrm{Li}^{+}\) will only include the electrons in the \(1\,s\) orbital, which is \(1\,s^{2}\).
Thus, the electron configuration of \(\mathrm{Li}^{+}\) is \(1\,s^{2}\), indicating a full first shell and no electrons in the second shell.
Related Videos
Related Practice
