QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
The ground state electron configuration of a calcium atom is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 and that of a calcium cation is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6. Explain the formation of calcium cation from calcium atom.
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Answer
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Step 1:: Understand the ground state electron configuration
The ground state electron configuration of a calcium atom is given as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s². This configuration represents the most stable electronic arrangement for a neutral calcium atom, with 20 electrons arranged in various energy levels or shells (1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and 4s) and subshells (s, p).
Step 2:: Identify the outermost electrons in the calcium atom
In the given configuration, the outermost shell is the 4s shell, which contains 2 electrons (4s²). These outermost electrons are also called valence electrons, and they are involved in chemical bonding and reactions.
Step 3:: Formation of a calcium cation
When a calcium atom loses two electrons to form a calcium cation (Ca²⁺), the 4s electrons are the ones that get removed because they are the outermost electrons. The remaining electrons rearrange themselves to achieve the most stable electron configuration.
Step 4:: Determine the ground state electron configuration of calcium cation
After losing the two 4s electrons, the calcium cation has 18 electrons. The new electron configuration becomes 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶, which corresponds to the noble gas argon (Ar). This new configuration is more stable as argon has a completely filled outermost shell (3p⁶), and calcium cation now has the same electron configuration as argon.
Final Answer
The calcium atom loses its two outermost 4s electrons to form a calcium cation (Ca²⁺) with the ground state electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶, which is the same as the noble gas argon.
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