Write the electron configurations of Co, Co^2+, and Co^3+.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of cobalt (Co), which is 27, indicating it has 27 electrons in its neutral state.
2. Write the electron configuration for neutral Co by filling the orbitals in order of increasing energy: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d.
3. For Co, the electron configuration is: 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^7.
4. To find the electron configuration of Co^2+, remove two electrons from the highest energy orbitals of neutral Co, which are the 4s and 3d orbitals.
5. For Co^3+, remove an additional electron from the 3d orbital of Co^2+, resulting in the electron configuration for Co^3+.

Key Concepts

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It follows the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to the highest. The notation typically includes the principal quantum number, subshell type, and the number of electrons in each subshell, providing insight into the atom's chemical properties and reactivity.

Transition Metals

Transition metals are elements found in the d-block of the periodic table, characterized by their ability to form variable oxidation states and complex ions. They typically have partially filled d orbitals, which play a crucial role in their chemical behavior, including the formation of colored compounds and catalytic properties. Cobalt (Co) is a transition metal, and understanding its electron configuration is essential for predicting its chemical interactions.

Oxidation States

Oxidation states indicate the degree of oxidation of an atom in a compound, reflecting the number of electrons lost, gained, or shared. For cobalt, the oxidation states can vary, commonly +2 and +3, which correspond to the loss of electrons from its electron configuration. Understanding these states is vital for determining the electron configurations of ions like Co^2+ and Co^3+, as they directly influence the arrangement of remaining electrons.