(a) Write the electron configuration for the element...

(a) Write the electron configuration for the element titanium, Ti. How many valence electrons does this atom possess? (b) Hafnium, Hf, is also found in group $4 \mathrm{~B}$. Write the electron configuration for Hf. (c) Both Ti and Hf behave as though they possess the same number of valence electrons. Which of the subshells in the electron configuration of Hf behave as valence orbitals? Which behave as core orbitals?

(a) Write the electron configuration for the element titanium, Ti. How many valence electrons does this atom possess?
(b) Hafnium, Hf, is also found in group $4 \mathrm{~B}$. Write the electron configuration for Hf. (c) Both Ti and Hf behave as though they possess the same number of valence electrons. Which of the subshells in the electron configuration of Hf behave as valence orbitals? Which behave as core orbitals?

Key Concepts

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration refers to the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals according to quantum mechanical principles. It follows the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund’s rule for arranging electrons in order of increasing energy. This concept helps in predicting the chemical behavior and periodic properties of elements.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding and reactions. For many elements, especially transition metals, the valence electrons include electrons from both the highest energy s orbital and the (n–1)d orbitals. Understanding the count and arrangement of these electrons is crucial for determining an element’s reactivity and bonding characteristics.

Transition Metals and d Orbitals

Transition metals are elements that have partially filled d subshells. They often display similar chemical properties because their d orbitals, in addition to their outermost s orbitals, act as valence orbitals. Their unique electron configurations explain phenomena like variable oxidation states and complex formation.

Core and Valence Orbitals

Core orbitals are inner, fully occupied electron shells that are generally not involved in chemical reactions, while valence orbitals are the outer electron shell(s) from which electrons are most readily available for bonding. In elements such as transition metals, the identification of which electrons belong to the core or valence set is critical to understanding their chemical behavior.

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