MediumChemistryHigh School (11–12)Structure of the Atom › Electronic Configuration and Valency Structure of the Atom › Quantum Mechanical Model of the AtomConceptualBoard Exam A-Level IB

By the usual order of filling, copper should be [Ar] 3d⁹ 4s²…

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By the usual order of filling, copper should be $[\text{Ar}]\,3d^9 4s^2$ . The real configuration is $[\text{Ar}]\,3d^{10} 4s^1$ . Explain why, and name another atom that does the same kind of thing.

Need a reminder? The key ideaShow

Aufbau, Pauli and Hund fill the orbitals. Chromium and copper move one $4s$ electron into $3d$ . Ions lose $4s$ electrons before $3d$ . Spin-only magnetic moment: $\mu = \sqrt{n(n + 2)}\ \text{BM}$ for $n$ unpaired electrons.

The worked solution

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By the usual order of filling, copper should be [Ar] 3d⁹ 4s²…

The worked solution

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