Finding an element using quantum configuration

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around determining the element based on quantum configurations. The initial query about the quantum numbers (6,2,2,+1/2) was deemed incorrect, while the configuration [Xe]4f14+4 was analyzed correctly. Participants clarified that the quantum numbers describe an electron's state rather than directly identifying an element. The correct approach involved starting from xenon, counting the electrons in the 4f block, and adjusting for the +4 charge. Ultimately, the conclusion reached was that the element corresponding to the configuration is Hafnium.
visviva
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Please post this type of questions in the homework section using the template and showing your work.
havent done this stuff in lile 5-6 years so can't remember half of what to do lel.
the first part i would like a yes/no please, Thanks. Given the quantum numbers (6,2,2,+1/2) what is the element, i said UUB becasue the first two numbers indicate 6D and the second would mean its +2 and positive spin so 6D9 which would indicate UUB?

The actual question I am having problems with is gven [Xe]4f14+4 whatis the element

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Quantum numbers alone don't say anything about the element, they characterize an electron which can be present in any (excited need be) element. Is it an outermost electron?

visviva said:
[Xe]4f14+4

How many electrons in a neutral atom of that element?
 
Thats all that was given, this is why this qustion is dumb, it literally says an element with the electron configurtion [Xe]4F14+ is what? so i when to Xe and then to the F block counted 14, minused 4 bcasue of the + 4,

And was the first part Right?

thanks.
 
Actually the later part (the one with [Xe]4f14+4) is perfectly OK. It was the first part of your post (6,2,2,+1/2) that didn't make sense.

visviva said:
so i when to Xe and then to the F block counted 14, minused 4 bcasue of the + 4

Can you translate it into English?
 
6 represnt the principal quantum number, the first 2 is the angular momentum quantum number, the second two is the magnetic , and the =1/2 is the spin. so for this I am pretty sure, it would be 6D5 becasue the 6 principal quantum number and the first means a D orbital, and then it should be 6D5 becasue it has a potive spin and is i is 5 becasue the other 2nd two is the 2 for number of orbitals ( -2, -1, 0, 1, 2) so there are 5 electrons so there are 5 electrons so this should be 6D5

for the [Xe] part ment to say, started at xenon on the periodic table, because the quantum number is [Xe] 4f14, then i proceeded to the 4f block, and counted 14 elements becasue it is [Xe] 4f14 then minues 4 becasue it is +4 [Xe] 4f14+4. I am not sure if this makes sense, and I am almost 100% positive this is wrong.
 
If it was a neutral atom, it would have four more electrons than the 4+ ion, so you count the 14, then add another 4.
 
how would that work, plus 4 indicates loss of electrons since lectrons are negative, your implying that if an atom is neutral and then I become a positively charged ion i gained 4 electrons??
 
How many electrons do you need to add to Na+ to make it neutral?

How many electrons do you need to add to Mg2+ to make it neutral?

How many electrons do you need to add to Al3+ to make it neutral?

How many electrons do you need to add to Whatever4+ to make it neutral?
 
I think i understand so i did it and got Hafnium for my answer?
 
  • #10
Looks OK.
 
Back
Top