COMEDK2024Evening ShiftChemistryStructure of AtomActual
What are the Principal & Azimuthal quantum number values of the valence electrons in tripositive Lutetium?
Options
- An =5 & 1=2
- Bn =4 & 1=2
- Cn=4 & 1=3
- Dn =5 & 1=3
Correct answer
C. n=4 & 1=3
Step-by-step solution
The atomic number of Lutetium (Lu) is 71. The electronic configuration of neutral Lutetium is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹ 6s² . To form the tripositive ion Lu³⁺ , three electrons must be removed. The electrons are removed from the outermost shells first, starting with the 6s orbital and then the 5d orbital. Removing two electrons from 6s and one electron from 5d results in the configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ . The valence electrons in Lu³⁺ are the 14 electrons in the 4f subshell. For these electrons, the principal quantum number n is 4