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What is the effective nuclear charge for a valence electron in 27cobalt 2+
Accepted Answer
The effective nuclear charge (Zeff) for a valence electron in Co2+ is approximately +7. Here's how we arrive at this:
Cobalt's Electronic Configuration: Cobalt (Co) has an atomic number of 27, meaning it has 27 protons and 27 electrons in its neutral state. Its electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d7 4s2.
Co2+ Ion: When cobalt loses two electrons to form Co2+, it loses them from the 4s orbital, resulting in the configuration [Ar] 3d7.
Shielding: The core electrons (those in the [Ar] configuration) shield the valence electrons (in the 3d orbitals) from the full nuclear charge. The number of core electrons in Co2+ is 18.
Calculation: Zeff = Z - S, where Z is the atomic number and S is the shielding constant. For Co2+, Zeff ≈ 27 - 18 = +9. However, since the valence electrons are in the 3d orbitals, they experience some shielding from each other, reducing the effective nuclear charge slightly. This is why Zeff is estimated to be around +7.
Remember, Zeff is an approximation and can vary slightly depending on the calculation method used.
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