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The electron configurations of four elements are listed - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 13 - 2004 - Paper 1
Question 13
The electron configurations of four elements are listed. The electron configuration of the element least likely to act as a reductant is A. 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁵ B. 1s... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The electron configurations of four elements are listed - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 13 - 2004 - Paper 1
Step 1
The electron configuration of the element least likely to act as a reductant is
Answer
To identify the element least likely to act as a reductant, we should look for the element with a stable configuration, which is generally closer to the noble gases. Among the options:
- A:
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁵is nearly a noble gas configuration (closest to Ar) and can lose electrons easily. - B:
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³has 3 valence electrons, allowing reduction. - C:
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3d⁶ 4s²has a more stable d-subshell, also leading to less tendency to act as a reductant. - D:
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³ 4d¹⁰ 4s²may have lower reactivity due to the filled d-subshell.
Given this analysis, option B (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p³) is the configuration of the element least likely to act as a reductant.