QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
When a potassium atom loses one electron to form a K+ ion, the electron is lost from what orbital?
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this problem step by step, following the specified formatting guidelines:
Step 2:: Understand the Electronic Configuration of Potassium
Potassium (K) is an alkali metal located in Group 1 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 19, which means it has 19 protons and 19 electrons in a neutral atom.
Step 3:: Determine the Electron Configuration
1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{6} 3s^{2} 3p^{6} 4s^{1}
The electron configuration of potassium follows this pattern:
Step 4:: Identify the Outermost Electron
The electron in the $$4s^{1}$$ orbital is the outermost electron.
This is the electron that will be lost when potassium forms a K+ ion.
Step 5:: Explain the Electron Loss
When potassium loses one electron to form K+, the electron is lost from the $$4s$$ orbital.
Final Answer
Key Insight: In alkali metals like potassium, the outermost s-orbital electron is typically the first to be lost during ionization, which is consistent with the atom's tendency to achieve a stable noble gas electron configuration.
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