The principal quantum number of the electrons that are lost when tungsten forms a cation is ?
Tungsten is a transition metal.
Well, when tungsten forms a cation, it loses electrons and becomes positively charged. Since it's a transition metal, the number of electrons it loses can vary depending on the specific cation being formed. Tungsten typically forms cations with a charge of +2, +3, +4, or +6. So, the principal quantum number of the electrons being lost can vary depending on the specific cation.
But hey, if you're looking for a good laugh instead of an exact answer, just imagine those lost electrons saying, "We used to have principle, but now we're just quantum-ing around!"
In order to determine the principal quantum number of the electrons lost when tungsten forms a cation, we need to consider the electron configuration of tungsten.
The atomic number of tungsten is 74, meaning it has 74 electrons. The electron configuration of the neutral tungsten atom is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴.
When tungsten forms a cation, it loses electrons from its outermost energy levels. In the case of transition metals like tungsten, the outermost energy level is the highest-numbered d sublevel.
Since tungsten is in the 6th period, the highest-numbered d sublevel is the 5d sublevel. Therefore, when tungsten forms a cation, it loses electrons from the 5d sublevel.
Knowing this, the principal quantum number of the electrons that are lost when tungsten forms a cation is 6.
To determine the principal quantum number of the electrons that are lost when tungsten forms a cation, we need to consider the electron configuration of tungsten.
Tungsten (W) is located in the transition metal block of the periodic table and has an atomic number of 74. The electron configuration of tungsten is [Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2.
When tungsten forms a cation, it loses electrons. Since tungsten is located in the transition metal block, it can lose electrons from both its outermost s and d orbital. In the case of tungsten, the two 6s electrons are lost first before any electrons from the 5d orbitals.
Therefore, the principal quantum number of the electrons that are lost when tungsten forms a cation is 6.
The electron configuration is
[Xe] 4f14 5d4 6s2
therefore, the principal quantum number is 6