What is the electron configuration of copper?
1 Answer
Refer to the explanation.
Explanation:
Copper has atomic number 29. This means that it has 29 positively charged protons in the nuclei of its atoms. A neutral copper atom also has 29 negatively charged electrons in its electron cloud. Therefore, its electron configuration represents 29 electrons.
The complete electron configuration for copper is:
Some prefer to keep the sublevels of the same energy level together, regardless of the amount of energy in the different sublevels:
The noble-gas shorthand electron configuration is:
Copper is one of about 20 transition metals whose electron configuration cannot be determined by strict adherence to the Aufbau principle. Spectral analysis of the ions of transition elements has determined that this is the correct electron configuration for a neutral copper atom. Interestingly, the 3d sublevel fills before the 4s sublevel.
https://eic.rsc.org/feature/the-trouble-with-the-aufbau-principle/2000133.article
