<p>On 2010 #6 part a, it asks for the electron configuration of Zn 2+--shouldn't this be 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^8 because it's an ion and has lost two electrons? Why is the answer 3d^10?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>No, because transition metals form ions differently. The electrons are taken from the S orbital first.
So it would be just 3d10 as opposed to 4s2 3d8.</p>
<p>Here’s another example:</p>
<p>Co: [Ar] 4s2 3d7 ← normal ground state config
Co+2 [ar] 3d7 ← the 2 s electrons removed first</p>
<p>What happens if you have Co+3? You remove a d electron as well as 2 s electrons so
Co+3: [Ar] 3d6</p>
<p>Well, removal of electrons should be from the higher energy levels first. 4 is a higher energy level.</p>
<p>Oh I see! That makes sense! Thank you both!</p>