transition metals?

Question

when a transition metal is oxidized it first gives up electrons in the:

1. p orbital
2. d orbital
3. f orbital
4. s orbital

Answer 1

The answer is 4. Transition metals, while filling up the d orbitals as one goes across the Periodic Table, actually lose their s electrons when they are oxidized, which is why the +2 oxidation state is so common amongst transition metals, especially the late ones.

Answer 2

# 4. The s-orbitals, the s-orbitals are in a higher energy state than the d-orbitals and will be removed first, example: when iron is in its +2 state the 4s2 electrons are removed, when iron is in the +3 state, the 4s2 electrons are removed then a 3d electron is rmoved, think about it, you fill up the orbitals be placing electrons in the lowetest energy orbital first, 3d comes before 4s so when removing an electron, its reverse, you revome from the 4s orbital first then the d orbials