The orbital diagram that follows shows the valence electrons for a 3+ ion of an element. (a) What is the element?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the problem. We are given an orbital diagram for a 3+ ion of an element and need to identify the element.
2. Step 2: Analyze the orbital diagram. Count the number of valence electrons shown in the diagram. Remember, the diagram represents a 3+ ion, meaning the element has lost 3 electrons.
3. Step 3: Determine the number of electrons in the neutral atom. Add 3 electrons to the number of valence electrons in the diagram to find the total number of electrons in the neutral atom.
4. Step 4: Identify the element. Use the total number of electrons to find the atomic number of the element, which corresponds to its position on the periodic table.
5. Step 5: Verify your answer. Ensure that the electron configuration of the neutral atom matches the known configuration for the element you identified.

Key Concepts

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are crucial in determining how an element reacts chemically. They are involved in forming bonds with other atoms. The number of valence electrons can be inferred from the element's position in the periodic table, particularly for main group elements.

Ion Formation

Ions are charged particles that form when atoms gain or lose electrons. A 3+ ion indicates that the element has lost three electrons, resulting in a positive charge. Understanding how ions form is essential for predicting the behavior of elements in chemical reactions and their stability.

Orbital Diagrams

Orbital diagrams visually represent the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. Each box in the diagram corresponds to an orbital, and arrows indicate the presence of electrons. Analyzing these diagrams helps identify the electron configuration of an element, which is key to determining its identity and properties.