Which element has the electron configuration [Ar] 4s² 3d¹⁰?

Which element has the electron configuration [Ar] 4s² 3d¹⁰?

• A. Iron (Fe)
• B. Nickel (Ni)
• C. Zinc (Zn)
• D. Copper (Cu)

Answer: (C)

The electron configuration [Ar] 4s² 3d¹⁰ indicates that the element has two electrons in the 4s subshell and ten electrons completely filling the 3d subshell. In the context of the periodic table, this configuration belongs to Zinc (Zn). Zinc is located in the d-block of the periodic table, specifically in period 4, and it is the 30th element. The complete filling of the 3d subshell (with 10 electrons) signifies that Zinc is the element that follows Nickel and Copper, which have different configurations. Nickel has a configuration of [Ar] 4s² 3d⁸, and Copper has a configuration of [Ar] 4s¹ 3d¹⁰, while Iron has a configuration of [Ar] 4s² 3d⁶. Understanding the electron configuration provides valuable insight into the element's chemical properties, including its oxidation states and reactivity, distinguishing Zinc as the element with the given electron configuration.

The electron configuration [Ar] 4s² 3d¹⁰ indicates that the element has two electrons in the 4s subshell and ten electrons completely filling the 3d subshell. In the context of the periodic table, this configuration belongs to Zinc (Zn).

Zinc is located in the d-block of the periodic table, specifically in period 4, and it is the 30th element. The complete filling of the 3d subshell (with 10 electrons) signifies that Zinc is the element that follows Nickel and Copper, which have different configurations. Nickel has a configuration of [Ar] 4s² 3d⁸, and Copper has a configuration of [Ar] 4s¹ 3d¹⁰, while Iron has a configuration of [Ar] 4s² 3d⁶.

Understanding the electron configuration provides valuable insight into the element's chemical properties, including its oxidation states and reactivity, distinguishing Zinc as the element with the given electron configuration.