Why is the electron configuration for Ni #1s^2# #2s^2# #2p^4# #3s^4# #3p^4# #4s^2# #3d^8# and not #1s^2# #2s^2# #2p^4# #3s^4# #3p^4# #3d^10#?
1 Answer
Aug 22, 2016
Neither electron configuration for Nickel is correct.
Explanation:
An s sublevel can only hold two electrons because it has only one orbital. Each orbital in any sublevel can hold only two electrons. Both of the electron configurations in your question have a
The atomic number for nickel is 28. If it is neutral, one atom of nickel has 28 protons and 28 electrons. Both of the electron configurations for nickel in your question have only 26 electrons.
In the second configuration, the
Nickel's electron configuration is