Give the corresponding electron configurations for following element atoms, their valence electrons, and their ions, respectively. a. P
b. Sa
c. Ni
d. Br
e. O

Explanation:

Element       Electron configuration  Valence electron      Ion

                    for atom                          configuration

P               1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p³             3s²3p³                        P⁵⁺

Sn           1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²

               3d¹⁰4p⁶4d¹⁰5s²5p²           5s²5p²                       Sn⁴⁺      

Ni             1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²         4s²3d⁸                       Ni²⁺

               3d⁸

Br             1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²        4s²4d⁵                         Br⁻

                3d¹⁰4p⁵

O              1s²2s²2p⁴                         2s²2p⁶                        O²⁻

An atom's electron configuration is a depiction of the distribution of electrons amongst the orbital shells as well as subshells. The electron configuration is frequently used to define an atom's orbitals in its ground state, but it may also be used to depict an atom which has ionized into a negatively charged ion or positively charge ion by accounting for electron loss or gain in succeeding orbitals. Many of an element's physical and chemical features can be linked to its distinct electron configuration. The distinctive chemistry of the element is determined by the valence electrons, which are electrons in the outermost shell.