Electron Configurations and Ions

Flashcards covering key concepts related to electron configurations and the behavior of cations and anions.

Electron Configuration

The distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals.

Abbreviated Configuration

A shortened form of writing electron configurations using the nearest noble gas.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed by the loss of electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed by the gain of electrons.

S Block

The group of elements in the periodic table that have their outermost electrons in the s orbital.

P Block

The group of elements in the periodic table that have their outermost electrons in the p orbital.

Noble Gas

An element in group 18 of the periodic table, characterized by a full valence shell.

Chromium (Cr) Stability Rule

Chromium prefers to promote an electron from the 4s to 3d to achieve a half-filled d subshell for stability.

Periodic Table

A tabular arrangement of elements based on their atomic numbers and electron configurations.