Answer to Question #139033 in General Chemistry for Arcenia Eatman

Question

the valence electron molecular orbital configurations for the following, and state whether they will be stable or unstable ions.
(a) Na2 2+
(b) Mg2 2+
(c) Al2 2+
(d) Si2 2+
(e) P2 2+
(f) S2 2+
(g) F2 2+
(h) Ar2 2+

Answer 1

(1)Na₂ ²⁺ electronic configuration is

1s² 2s² 2p⁵

Valence electrons is 7

Octet is incomplete so the ion is unstable

(2) Mg₂²⁺ 1s² 2s² 2p⁶

Valence electrons 8

Octet is complete so the ion is stable

(3)Al₂²⁺ 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹

Valence electron is one

It is unpaired electron so the ion is unstable

(4)si₂²⁺ 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s²

Valence electrons is 2

It is paired electron so the ion is stable

(5)P₂²⁺ 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹

Valence electrons is 3

Ion is stable

(6) S₂²⁺ 1s² 2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p²

Valence electrons is 4

Ion is stable

(7) F₂²⁺ 1s² 2s² 2p³

Valence electrons is 5

Ion is stable

(8) Ar₂²⁺ 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴

Valence electrons is 6

Ion is stable