Question

Which electron configuration is correct for Sn4+?

A. [Kr]4d10

B. [Kr]5s2 4d8

C. [Kr]5s2 5d8

I know that the answer is A, but can someone explain why it doesn't go in the order of [Kr] 5s2 then 4d10 ?? (Therefore being answer B) The quantum numbers for 3 and 4 go in the order 3s2 3p6 4s2 then 3d10 Why wouldn't this be the case for this problem? Please help!

Answer 1

Sn atomic number is 50 no of electrons are 50 and electron configuration => [Kr] 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p²

when it forms the Sn4+ by loosing the 4 electrons and gets the electron configuration is as follows [Kr] 5s⁰ 4d¹⁰ 5p⁰ (or) [Kr] 4d¹⁰

because the electrons are removed from the outer most energy orbital i.e from the 5S and 5P orbitals and achieves the [Kr] 5s⁰ 4d¹⁰ 5p⁰ by loosing the electrons from the 5S and 5P orbitals it shows the a pseudo-noble gas configuration by the empty orbitals of higher energy levels i.e 5S and 5P orbitals and fullfilled d-subshell i.e 4d shell and this shows the stability to the atom

answer=> due to the pseudo-noble gas configuration and stability attained by the electron configuration of an atom