Which of the following is the correct electron configuration for the Al^{3+} ion?

• A. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1
• B. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6
• C. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^5
• D. 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of aluminum (Al), which is 13. This means a neutral Al atom has 13 electrons.
2. Write the electron configuration for neutral Al: \$1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1$.
3. Recognize that the Al\(^{3+}\) ion has lost 3 electrons compared to the neutral atom, so it has 10 electrons.
4. Remove electrons starting from the highest energy level (the outermost shell), which are the 3p and 3s electrons, until 3 electrons are removed.
5. Write the electron configuration for Al\(^{3+}\) with 10 electrons, which corresponds to the configuration of the noble gas neon: \$1s^2 2s^2 2p^6$.