What is the electronic configuration of "Cl"^(-)?

1 Answer
Shulgin
May 8, 2018

1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6

Explanation:

We know that the atomic number for Cl is 17, (Z = 17 number of protons). Cl have an electron configuration of:

1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5 -> 2+2+6+2+5 = 17

Since you wanted the electron configuration of Cl^- this would result in an extra electron.
We know that a atom has equal parts of protons and electrons in its ground state.
So when Cl becomes Cl^- it becomes Z=18.

1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 -> 2+2+6+2+2+6 = 18

So that would be the correct electron configuration for Cl^-

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