Why is the Electron Configuration for Ti+2 [Ar]3d2?

AI Thread Summary
The electron configuration for the Ti+2 cation is [Ar]3d2, which can be confusing when considering the neutral titanium configuration of [Ar]4s2 3d2. The key point is that when forming cations, electrons are removed from the highest energy level first, which is the 4s sub-shell in this case. Although the 3d sub-shell is filled after the 4s during the Aufbau process, the 4s electrons are higher in energy and are removed first. Therefore, removing two electrons from the 4s sub-shell leads to the stable configuration of [Ar]3d2 for Ti+2. Understanding the energy levels of the sub-shells clarifies why this configuration is correct.
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Homework Statement


What is the electron configuration for Ti+2? The answer to this question, from my homework, is [Ar]3d2, but I am not able to figure out why.

2. The attempt at a solution
I originally thought the configuration was:
Ti+2 = [Ar]4s2

and not:
Ti+2 = [Ar]3d2

My reasoning was that if titanium itself, neutrally, is [Ar]4s23d2, then wouldn't, in this cation, taking away 2 electrons be more stable from the 3d sub-shell rather than the 4s sub-shell?

Taking from the 4s sub-shell would leave 2 unpaired electrons in the 3d sub-shell, while taking from the 3d subshell would leave a complete electron pair in the 4s sub-shell, meaning more stability? Or is this thinking invalid?
 
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τheory said:

Homework Statement


What is the electron configuration for Ti+2? The answer to this question, from my homework, is [Ar]3d2, but I am not able to figure out why.

2. The attempt at a solution
I originally thought the configuration was:
Ti+2 = [Ar]4s2

and not:
Ti+2 = [Ar]3d2

My reasoning was that if titanium itself, neutrally, is [Ar]4s23d2, then wouldn't, in this cation, taking away 2 electrons be more stable from the 3d sub-shell rather than the 4s sub-shell?

Taking from the 4s sub-shell would leave 2 unpaired electrons in the 3d sub-shell, while taking from the 3d subshell would leave a complete electron pair in the 4s sub-shell, meaning more stability? Or is this thinking invalid?

Even though 3d comes after 4s in order of filling the sub-shells, 4s has the higher energy level since n=4, and electron almost always comes out from the outermost energy shell.
 
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