What is the electron configuration of iron?
1 Answer
Iron is on the fourth row of the periodic table, sixth column of the transition metals, atomic number
What we have is:
- Its core orbitals are the
#1s# ,#2s# ,#2p# 's,#3s# , and#3p# 's. - Its valence orbitals are the
#4s# and#3d# 's.
Writing the electron configuration, you really only need the valence orbitals, and you can omit the core orbitals by notating it via the noble gas shortcut.
So,
Note that the total number of electrons in the neutral atom adds up to the atomic number, so
Finally, the
Therefore, we get:
#color(blue)([Ar]3d^6 4s^2)#
Or:
(note, the original image was wrong. The
The long version is:
#1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^6 4s^2#
Indeed,