In which all have d10 configuration in their ground state?
Correct Answer :
Cu, Zn, Cd, Ag
Solution :
The correct option is Cu, Zn, Cd, Ag.
To determine which set of elements all have a electronic configuration in their ground state, let us write down the electronic configurations of the transition elements in the options:
1. Copper (Cu, Z = 29):
The expected configuration is . However, due to the extra stability of a fully-filled d-subshell, one electron from the orbital transitions to the orbital. Thus, the ground-state configuration is:
This has a configuration.
2. Zinc (Zn, Z = 30):
The ground-state electronic configuration is:
This has a configuration.
3. Silver (Ag, Z = 47):
Similar to copper, silver belongs to group 11 and exhibits an anomalous configuration to achieve a stable fully-filled d-subshell. The ground-state configuration is:
This has a configuration.
4. Cadmium (Cd, Z = 48):
Cadmium belongs to group 12 (below zinc) and has a completely filled d-subshell. The ground-state electronic configuration is:
This has a configuration.
Since all four elements (Cu, Zn, Cd, Ag) possess a configuration in their ground state, they satisfy the requirement.
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