Which Elements Have Unusual Electron Configurations?

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Certain elements exhibit electron configurations that deviate from periodic table predictions, particularly in the d-block, with copper and silver being notable examples. Copper has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d10, while silver is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1 4d10. Additionally, palladium is highlighted for having no electrons in its outermost s orbital (5s0), making it an unusual case. The discussion also touches on chromium's configuration of [AR]3d^5, 4s^1, which is influenced by the stability of half-filled and fully filled subshells. Overall, these anomalies illustrate the complexities of electron arrangements in transition metals.
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Which elements have electron configurations different from what the periodic table predicts? I have the d-block, but i don't know how/where to get the rest.


Suppose in another universe, everything about atomic structure is the same as in our universe BUT there are 3 possible spin states for an electron in an orbital(up, down, and side) instead of two. How would this change where the elements are in the periodic table?

thanks
 
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The "s" block would have 3 columns...The "p" block would have 9 columns,the "d" block would have 15 columns,the "f" block would have 21 columns...

Daniel.
 
I think the answer to what your asking is Copper and Silver

Copper is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d10
Silver is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1 4d10
 
There are many more "anomalies" in the "d" block.I think Pd is the most unusual as it has no electron in the "s" orbitals o its last shell (5s0).

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
There are many more "anomalies" in the "d" block.I think Pd is the most unusual as it has no electron in the "s" orbitals o its last shell (5s0).
Agreed. And there is Chromium (4s1).

The Bob (2004 ©)
 
Apologies if this question has already been answered, but I'll give my answer anyway! It helps reconfirm chemical ideas in my head, and learning is good! :-p

both chromium and copper have unusual electron arrangements- due to the additional stability associated with a half full and completely full 3d subshell.

Cr= [AR]3d^5, 4S^1
Cu= [AR]3d^10, 4S^1

all the other elements in the d block (for period 4) have full 4d subshells as the 4d subshell has slightly lower energy associated with it in then the 3d subshell, and are filled first.

again, sorry, but its good revision for me, and I've got an exam soon on this!
 
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