Chapter 7, Problem 106A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The formation of nickel ion with a 2+ oxidation number needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Nickel is found in group 10 in the periodic table. It is a p-block element and indicated by the symbol “Ni” and it is hard and ductile. Atomic number of Ni is 28

Answer to Problem 106A

It loses two electrons and produce ${\text{Ni}}^{\text{2+}}$ cation.

Explanation of Solution

Electron configuration of nickel is as follows:

${\text{Ni=1s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2p}}^{\text{6}}{\text{3s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{3p}}^{\text{6}}{\text{4s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{3d}}^8$

The outer most shell $\text{4s}$ contains 2 electrons. Nickel loses this two valence electrons and produce ${\text{Ni}}^{\text{2+}}$ cation. After losing two electrons, electron configuration becomes ${\text{1s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2p}}^{\text{6}}{\text{3s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{3p}}^{\text{6}}{\text{3d}}^8$.

Conclusion

A positive ion is formed when an atom loses one or more electrons to achieve noble gas configuration.