Question

Choose the answer that best completes the following statement: When an aluminum atom reacts so as to attain a noble gas electron configuration?

Answer 1

The options

Select one:

a. a 3- ion forms.

b. the noble gas configuration of argon is achieved.

c. the result is a configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6.

d. the atom gains five electrons.

Answer:

c. the result is a configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6.

Explanation:

Aluminium atom has atomic number of 13 , hence the number of electron is 13 for a neutral atom of aluminium. When aluminium atom reacts with other elements it usually gives out three electron to attain the octet configuration.

The cation representation of aluminium is Al3+ because it has loss three electron to attain the octet rule. Aluminium will be left with 10 electrons after losing 3 of it electrons. The electronic configuration will be represented as follows after losing three electrons;

1S² 2S² 2P∧6 .

At this stage the octet rule has been achieved as it will be represented as

2  8.  The first energy shell now contains two electron and the second energy shell contains 8 electrons.

The configuration of  Neon has been formed in the process.