When a potassium atom loses one electron to form an $K^{+}$ $K^+$ ion, the electron is lost from what orbital?

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Answer 1 · 2016-11-26T17:15:25

It is lost from $4 s$ $4s$

The electron configuration of $K$ $K$ is: $1 s^{2}, 2 s^{2}, 2 p^{6}, 3 s^{2}, 3 p^{6}, 4 s^{1}$ $1s^2,2s^2, 2p^6,3s^2,3p^6,4s^1$

An atom will lose electrons from its last or furthest orbital from the nucleus.

The furthest orbital in $K$ $K$ is $4 s$ $4s$ , so the electron will be lost from $4 s$ $4s$ .

When a potassium atom loses one electron to form an K+K^+ ion, the electron is lost from what orbital?