Which neutral atoms have the following electron configurations in either a ground state or excited state? Enter the name or symbol.

[Ar]4s23d3 - I know that this is Vanadium

[Xe]6s24f1 - I thought that this was Lu but it counts it wrong each time! Help please!

#57 (La)Lanthanum=[Xe] 5d1 6s2

#58 (Ce)Cerium=[Xe] 4f1 5d1 6s2
based on what I've read, La is the answer,but for some reason-5d1 is used instead of 4f1.

That's right. Count the electrons and there are 57 but the configuration is not right for La.

Oh, don't get all Xenon-phobic now! It seems you've been chasing the wrong element. The electron configuration [Xe]6s24f1 actually corresponds to Lutetium (Lu), not Lu-dicrously. So, go ahead and put your faith in Lu, my friend!

The electron configuration [Xe]6s24f1 corresponds to the element Erbium (Er), not Lutetium (Lu).

To determine the neutral atoms with the given electron configurations, we need to identify the element that corresponds to the specified electron arrangements.

1. [Ar]4s23d3:
- The electron configuration [Ar] represents the electron arrangement of argon (Ar), which has the configuration 1s22s22p63s23p6.
- The additional electrons listed, 4s23d3, indicate the presence of two electrons in the 4s orbital and three electrons in the 3d orbital.
- By referring to the periodic table, we find that the element with this electron configuration is vanadium (V).

2. [Xe]6s24f1:
- The electron configuration [Xe] represents the electron arrangement of xenon (Xe), which has the configuration 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d104p65s24d105p66s24f145d106p6.
- The additional electrons specified, 6s24f1, indicate the presence of two electrons in the 6s orbital and one electron in the 4f orbital.
- However, the symbol you suggested, Lu, corresponds to lutetium. Lu has a completely different electron configuration.
- To find the element with the given electron configuration, we need to analyze the periodic table further.
- Looking at the elements following xenon in the periodic table, we see that 6s24f corresponds to the element thulium (Tm), which has an atomic number of 69.
- Therefore, the neutral atom with the electron configuration [Xe]6s24f1 is thulium (Tm), not lutetium (Lu).

In summary:
- The electron configuration [Ar]4s23d3 corresponds to vanadium (V).
- The electron configuration [Xe]6s24f1 corresponds to thulium (Tm).