What is the electron configuration of Ca2+?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Identify the atomic number of calcium (Ca), which is 20. This means a neutral calcium atom has 20 electrons.

Step 2: Write the electron configuration for a neutral calcium atom. The configuration is: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s².

Step 3: Recognize that Ca²⁺ indicates the loss of 2 electrons from the neutral atom.

Step 4: Remove the 2 electrons from the outermost shell (4s orbital) of the neutral calcium electron configuration.

Step 5: Write the electron configuration for Ca²⁺ after removing the 2 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It is represented using a notation that indicates the energy levels and sublevels occupied by electrons, following the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule. Understanding electron configuration is essential for predicting an element's chemical behavior and reactivity.

Ion Formation

Ion formation occurs when an atom gains or loses electrons, resulting in a charged particle. For example, when calcium (Ca) loses two electrons to form Ca2+, it becomes a cation with a positive charge. This process is crucial for understanding how elements interact in chemical reactions and the resulting properties of ionic compounds.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are involved in chemical bonding. For calcium, which is in group 2 of the periodic table, there are two valence electrons. The loss of these electrons to form Ca2+ significantly influences the element's reactivity and the types of bonds it can form with other elements.