Determine the electron configuration for the Cl⁺ ion.

• A. [Ne] 3s¹ 3p⁵
• B. [Ne] 3s² 3p⁶
• C. [Ne] 3s² 3p⁵
• D. [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the electron configuration of a neutral chlorine (Cl) atom, which is [Ne] 3s2 3p5.
2. Understand that Cl+ indicates the loss of one electron from the neutral chlorine atom.
3. Determine which orbital the electron is removed from. Electrons are removed from the outermost shell, which is the 3p orbital in this case.
4. Subtract one electron from the 3p orbital of the neutral chlorine configuration: [Ne] 3s2 3p5 becomes [Ne] 3s2 3p4.
5. Verify the resulting electron configuration for Cl+ is [Ne] 3s2 3p4, which matches the given correct answer.