How Do You Write the Electron Configuration for Si and O in SiO4?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on writing the electron configuration for silicon (Si) and oxygen (O) in the hypothetical compound SiO4. Participants clarify that Si gains four electrons, leading to the configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6, while oxygen typically gains one electron, resulting in 1s2 2s2 2p6 for each O atom in the context of SiO42-. However, there is confusion about the existence of SiO4, as it is more accurate to refer to it as SiO42- due to its ionic nature. Additionally, participants note that electron configurations are not typically written for atoms within a molecule, especially in covalent compounds like SiO42-. The conversation highlights the complexities of electron configurations in chemical bonding.
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Homework Statement


Write the electron configuration for SiO4.


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The Attempt at a Solution


My professor said we just need to show the configuration for Si and O separately.

I think Si gains four electrons, so its configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6

But Oxygen I'm not sure about. Each oxygen only gains one electron, so would it be

1s2 2s2 2p5?

It's been a loooong time since I did chem and I can't remember how this works. Am I doing this right?
 
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It doesn't make sense. First of all - no such things as SiO4. Shouldn't it be SiO42-?

Then - there is no such thing as separate configurations of atoms in a molecule. In ionic compounds you can write electron configuration of ions, but bonds in SiO42- are not ionic.

Sorry, I have no idea what your prof is asking for.
 
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