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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