How do you find the electron configuration of a *compound*?

Question

I know how to find the element... but I'm confused as to how you find the EC of a compound. Do you add them together? Add the electrons first?

Our teacher sent us home to do this without explaining how and we're all lost! So on behalf of about 15 students, thanks!

Sorry- we just covered it today so i wasn't sure how much info was needed. We've just done electron orbitals and quantum numbers.

I'm looking for the EC of KCl.

Answer 1

Please ask a specific question. I'll be glad to help.

Have you done molecular orbital theory? What level is your class? ap? college? hs?

Answer 2

Is the compound a salt? If that's the case, and it is something like NaCl, then you might know that this consists of sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). The electron configuration of the sodium ion is the same as that of sodium, but with 1 less electron. The chloride ion will have just one more electron than chlorine.

For something like CaCl2, you'll have two chloride ions, each with 1 more electron and just chlorine. The calcium ion must have a +2 charge, and so will have 2 fewer electrons that calcium.

I can't think of any other way to do electron configurations of compounds other than salts like this.

Hope this helps...

Answer 3

I don't know sorry...