Electronic configuration of iron ions

Aug 26, 2022, 16:45 IST

Electronic configuration of Fe

Note that while filling electrons in various orbitals they are  filled according to the three laws – Aufbau, Pauli and Hund’s. For removing electrons to form cations, electrons are removed from outermost shell as they are bound to the nucleus by lesser forces of attraction because of shielding effect.Chemistry formulas page consist of all other configurations. 

            For example for iron,

             ₂₆Fe -  1s², 2s² 2p⁶, 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁶, 4s² 

the configuration of ions would be  Fe²⁺

            Fe²⁺  - 1s², 2s² 2p⁶, 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁶   

the configuration of ions would be Fe³⁺

Fe³⁺  - 1s², 2s² 2p⁶, 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁵

Some Exceptional electronic configuration  

₂₄Cr:    1s², 2s² 2p⁶, 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁵, 4s¹              ₄₇Ag :   1s², 2s² 2p⁶, 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰, 4s² 4p⁶ 5s¹

₂₉Cu:    1s², 2s² 2p⁶, 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰, 4s¹             ₄₂Mo:   1s², 2s² 2p⁶, 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰, 4s² 4p⁶ 4d⁵, 4s¹

Occurrence Iron is the fourth most abundant element and the second most abundant metal in nature. It occurs in combined state.

Types of ores

a. Oxide ores

(i) Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) It is usually black in colour. It is richest ore of iron and contains upto 70% of the metal.

(ii) Haematite  (Fe₂O₃) Fe It is usually red in colour.

(iii) Limonite or hydrated ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃.3H₂O) It has yellow, brown or red colour.

b. Carbonate ore

Siderite or Spathic iron (FeCO₃) It is also called clay- iron stone due to the presence of excess of clay in it.