Question

What is the electron configuration of Hg^2+?

Answer 1

Well for mercury, `Z=80...`

Explanation:

And so for `Hg` we got 80 electrons to distribute according to the Aufbau scheme....

`underbrace(1s^(2)2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^10 4s^2 4p^6 4d^10 5s^2 5p^6 4f^14 5d^10 6s^2)_"configuration of mercury metal"`

And so for `Hg^(2+)` we got 78 electrons to distribute ….....

`underbrace({1s^(2)2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^10 4s^2 4p^6 4d^10 5s^2 5p^6 4f^14 5d^10}^(2+))_"configuration of mercuric ion"`

Are there the right number of electrons? All care taken, but no responsibility admitted...