Final answer:
The electron configuration of the Ga3+ ion is [Ar] 3d10, with electrons removed from 4s2 and 4p1 orbitals to form the ion. The correct answer is options A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electron configuration of the gallium ion (Ga3+) is [Ar] 3d10. When gallium loses three electrons to form the Ga3+ ion, the electrons are lost from the 4s2 and the 4p1 orbitals. This is because the first and second ionization energies remove the 4s electrons before the 4p due to the penetration and shielding effects within the atom. Therefore, the correct electron configuration for the gallium ion is option A: [Ar] 3d10.
The process of assigning electron configurations to ions is based on the concept that ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons, thus altering their electron configuration. The electrons are removed in the reverse order in which they were added.