Question

What is the electron configuration for `Fe_2`?

Answer 1

The ion `Fe^(2+)` electron configuration is `1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^6`

Explanation:

The electron configuration for iron, `Fe` is `1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^6 4s^2`

The orbital filling order for `Fe` is `1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^6`

Iron does not occur as `Fe_2` in nature. It is not a diatomic element.

The ion `Fe^(2+)` electron configuration is `1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^6`.

It is missing the two valence electrons in the `4s^2` orbital. This makes the ion a cation, an ion that is positively charged because it has lost valence electrons.