QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
When a potassium atom loses one electron to form a K+ ion, the electron is lost from what orbital?
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Answer
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Step 1I'll solve this problem step by step, following the specified formatting guidelines:
Step 2: Understand the Electronic Configuration of Potassium
Potassium (K) is an alkali metal located in Group 1 of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 19, which means it has 19 protons and 19 electrons in a neutral atom.
Final Answer
Key Insight: In alkali metals like potassium, the outermost s-orbital electron is typically the first to be lost during ionization, which is consistent with the atom's tendency to achieve a stable noble gas electron configuration.
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