Why do Copper and Chromium only have 1 electron in their S orbitals?

The reason Copper and Chromium have a slighly odd electron configuration is because of stability. By only having 1 electron in the 4s oribtal, Chromium is able to have 1 electron in each of it's 3d orbitals, this configuration is more stable than by having [Ar]4S23d4. Similarly Copper is able to fill each of it's 3d orbitals with 2 electrons which is more stable than by having [Ar]4S23d9. Anything in nature will tend towards the most stable state, if any of the less stable electron configurations are created then they will be more reactive and as such over time only the more stable configuration will remain.

BO
Answered by Benjamin O. Chemistry tutor

32069 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Flask Q (volume = 1.00 x 103 cm3 ) is filled with ammonia (NH3) at 102 kPa and 300 K. The tap is closed and there is a vacuum in flask P. (Gas constant R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1 ) Calculate the mass of ammonia


What product is formed upon addition of dimethylamine to ethanoyl chloride? Provide a curly-arrow mechanism for the formation of this product.


Given the reaction: H2SO4 + NaOH --> ? + H2O. (a). Work out the salt produced (?) and (b). calculate the pH of the remaining solution when 1.2 g of NaOH and 4.41 g of H2SO4 were added in a 500 ml solution. Of the unreacted H2SO4 95% dissociated.


Calculate Gibbs free energy when S = 131 J mol-1 and H = 155 kJ mol-1 at 25 C, stating whether or not the reaction is feasable.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning