draw the electron configuration for a neutral atom of cobalt.
draw the electron configuration for a neutral atom of cobalt.
Answer
Explanation:
Step1: Determine the atomic number of cobalt
Cobalt (Co) has an atomic number ( Z = 27 ). A neutral atom has the number of electrons equal to the atomic number, so ( n = 27 ) electrons.
Step2: Fill the orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule
- Fill the ( 1s ) orbital first. The ( 1s ) orbital can hold ( 2 ) electrons: ( 1s^{2} ).
- Then the ( 2s ) orbital (holds ( 2 ) electrons): ( 2s^{2} ).
- Next, the ( 2p ) orbitals (3 sub - orbitals, each can hold 2 electrons, total ( 6 ) electrons): ( 2p^{6} ).
- Then the ( 3s ) orbital (holds ( 2 ) electrons): ( 3s^{2} ).
- Next, the ( 3p ) orbitals (holds ( 6 ) electrons): ( 3p^{6} ).
- Then the ( 4s ) orbital (holds ( 2 ) electrons): ( 4s^{2} ).
- After filling ( 4s ), fill the ( 3d ) orbitals. There are ( 27-(2 + 2+6 + 2+6 + 2)=7 ) electrons left for the ( 3d ) orbitals. According to Hund's rule, we first half - fill the ( 5 ) ( 3d ) sub - orbitals and then pair up. So the ( 3d ) configuration is ( 3d^{7} ).
The electron configuration of a neutral cobalt atom is ( 1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{2}3d^{7} ).
Answer:
The electron configuration of a neutral cobalt atom is ( 1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{2}3d^{7} ).