Question

What is the electron configuration of the calcium ion?

a. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^23p^5 4s^1 b. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^23p^4 4s^2
c. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2
d. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^23p^6

Answer 1

The electron configuration of a calcium ion (Ca2+) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6, which represents a stable full octet.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electron configuration of the calcium ion (Ca2+) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6. When calcium becomes a ion, it loses two electrons from the 4s orbital, resulting in a full 3p subshell as its outermost shell. This configuration corresponds to having a full octet, which is a stable electron arrangement for ions.