why is it 3d10, NOT 4d10?
2007-09-22 14:53:01 · 3 answers · asked by nothingspecial 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
D-orbitals cannot exist until there is a full p-orbital, however, the s-orbital takes a lot less energy to fill so after the 3p is filled, the 4s fills before the 3d.
It is 3d10 because the last p-orbital to be filled was in period 3.
An electron will always add to an atom via the lowest energy route which means the s before d.
When an atom loses electrons, you find that the s orbitals are emptied before the d orbitals again because it takes less energy to remove and s electron than it does a p electron (not sure if you've got to this stage yet so if you haven't just ignore it!). So the 4s would empty first, then the 3d, 3p, 3s and so forth.
Hope this helps :)
2007-09-22 23:37:04 · answer #1 · answered by Showaddywaddy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a 4d10 as well. Just look one line lower on the periodic table
3d10 comes after 4s2, beacause it has a slightly higher energy level. It appears on the 4th row, so it looks confusing
2007-09-22 22:14:14 · answer #2 · answered by reb1240 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zn is 3d10; Cd is 4d10; Hg is 5d10
2007-09-22 22:14:50 · answer #3 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋