What is the electron configuration for a chloride ion?

1 Answer
Dec 31, 2015

1"s"^2 2"s"^2 2"p"^6 3"s"^2 3"p"^61s22s22p63s23p6

OR

"[Ne]" 3"s"^2 3"p"^6[Ne]3s23p6

Explanation:

The electron configuration of a chlorine atom ("Cl"Cl) is as follows:

1"s"^2 2"s"^2 2"p"^6 3"s"^2 3"p"^51s22s22p63s23p5

But a chlorine ion ("Cl"^-Cl) has acquired a "(1)-"(1)- charge as a result of gaining 1 electron. Thus, its electron configuration is:

1"s"^2 2"s"^2 2"p"^6 3"s"^2 3"p"^61s22s22p63s23p6

This may also be expressed as:

"[Ne]" 3"s"^2 3"p"^6[Ne]3s23p6