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Write the electron configuration for an aluminum cation with a charge of 2 .

User Feng Wang
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1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1
User Lelia
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Final answer:

A hypothetical Al2+ ion would have an unusual electron configuration where the aluminum loses two electrons from its outer shells, resulting in the electron configuration 1s²2s²2p¶3s².

Step-by-step explanation:

The electron configuration for an aluminum cation with a charge of 2+ is not a common ion for aluminum, as aluminum typically forms a 3+ ion (Al3+). However, if we were to hypothetically consider an Al2+ ion, its electron configuration would be derived from the configuration of a neutral aluminum atom. Aluminum's neutral electron configuration is 1s²2s²2p¶3s²3p¹. When forming a 2+ cation, aluminum would lose two electrons, typically from the outermost shells (3s²3p¹).

Neutral aluminum: 1s²2s²2p¶3s²3p¹
Removing two electrons would result in Al2+: 1s²2s²2p¶3s². Here, the two 3s electrons are kept, and the single 3p electron is removed, plus one more from the 3s subshell.

User Karl Tarbe
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