Copper's Valence Electrons: How Can It Lose More Than One?

[Johnleprekan]

Copper has one valence electron, but it can lose more than one when forming cupric compounds. I had thought it could only lose the valence electron. How can this happen?

If this is true, how does an electron from the d orbital jump to a higher orbital if only valence electrons can make the jump?

 

[Abhilash H N]

The general electronic configuration of 3d elements is 3d^1-104s^1-2. As one moves gradually along the group the electrons get filled to the 3d orbitals. So by that condition copper should have the electronic configuration as 3d⁹4s². But since completely filled orbitals are more stable an electron jumps back to 3d, giving the configuration as 3d¹⁰4s¹. So one of the electrons in 3d orbital is the valence electron itself. Thats the reason why all those happen...
Regards