Electron configuration calculator for Ions

Ion electron configuration calculator is an online tool that helps in calculating the electron configuration for anion(negative charge) and cation atoms(positive charge).

The ion-electron configuration calculator contains the list of some important elements with positive and negative charges, pick any of these by clicking on the dropdown box, and get an ion-electron configuration for the selected atom.

Ion electron configuration calculator

How to find electron configuration for ions?

The process of finding the electron configurations for ions, cation(positive charge) and, anion(negative charge) is very similar to neutral atoms, in the case of cation, we have to remove the electrons, and in the case of anion, we have to add the electrons to the configuration of atoms.

First of all, understand what are ions.

“Ion, any atom or group of atoms that bears one or more positive or negative electrical charges. Positively charged ions are called cations; negatively charged ions, anions.”

⇒ When an atom loses electrons it becomes a positive ion (called a cation).

⇒ When an atom gains electrons it becomes a negative ion (called anion).

Let’s understand with an example.

How to write the electron configuration for the Na⁺ ion?

We know, in general, that the electron configuration of Sodium (Na) is 1s²2s²2p⁶3s¹.
Now, in the Na⁺ ion, the positive charge means, Sodium loses one electron.
Therefore, to write the electron configuration of the Na⁺ ion, we have to remove one electron from the configuration of Sodium (Na).
The resulting electron configuration for the Sodium ion (Na⁺) will be 1s²2s²2p⁶. It resembles the configuration of the nearest inert gas i.e Neon.

How to write the electron configuration for the O^2- ion?

We know, in general, that the electron configuration of Oxygen (O) is 1s²2s²2p⁴.
Now, in O^2- ion, the negative charge means, oxygen has gained two extra electrons.
Therefore, to write the electron configuration of O^2- ion, we have to add two electrons to the configuration of Oxygen (O).
The resulting electron configuration for Oxide ion (O^2-) will be 1s²2s²2p⁶. It resembles the configuration of the nearest inert gas i.e Neon.

How to write the electron configuration for the Al³⁺ ion?

We know, in general, that the electron configuration of Aluminum (Al) is 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p¹.
Now, in the Al³⁺ ion, the positive charge means, Aluminum loses three electrons.
Therefore, to write the electron configuration of the Al³⁺ ion, we have to remove three electrons from the configuration of Aluminum (Al).
The resulting electron configuration for the Al³⁺ will be 1s²2s²2p⁶. It resembles the configuration of the nearest inert gas i.e Neon.

Let’s check the list of some important ions with their electron configuration.

Ions	Gain or loss of electrons	Electron configuration
Li⁺	Lithium loses one electron	1s²2s¹ → 1s²
Be²⁺	Beryllium loses two electrons	1s²2s² → 1s²
B³⁺	Boron loses three electrons	1s²2s²2p¹ → 1s²
C^4-	Carbon has gained four extra electrons	1s²2s² 2p²→ 1s²2s²2p⁶
N^3-	Nitrogen has gained three extra electrons	1s²2s² 2p³→ 1s²2s²2p⁶
O^2-	oxygen has gained two extra electrons	1s²2s² 2p⁴→ 1s²2s²2p⁶
F^–	Fluorine has gained one extra electron	1s²2s² 2p⁵→ 1s²2s²2p⁶
Na⁺	Sodium loses one electron	1s²2s²2p⁶3s¹ → 1s²2s²2p⁶
Mg²⁺	Magnesium loses two electrons	1s²2s²2p⁶3s² → 1s²2s²2p⁶
Al³⁺	Aluminum loses three electrons	1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p¹→ 1s²2s²2p⁶
Si⁴⁺	Silicon loses four electrons	1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p²→ 1s²2s²2p⁶
P^3-	Phosphorus gains three electrons	1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p³→ 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶
S^2-	Sulfur gains two electrons	1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁴→ 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶
Cl^–	Chlorine gains one electron	1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁵→ 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶
K⁺	Potassium loses one electron	1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s¹→ 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶
Ca²⁺	Calcium loses two electrons	1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²→ 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶

Also, check –

The full electron configuration for the first 30 elements –

Atomic number	Name of the Elements	Electron configuration
1	Hydrogen electron configuration	1s¹
2	Helium electron configuration	1s²
3	Lithium electron configuration	1s²2s¹
4	Beryllium electron configuration	1s²2s²
5	Boron electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p¹
6	Carbon electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p²
7	Nitrogen electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p³
8	Oxygen electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁴
9	Fluorine electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁵
10	Neon electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶
11	Sodium electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s¹
12	Magnesium electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s²
13	Aluminum electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p¹
14	Silicon electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p²
15	Phosphorus electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p³
16	Sulfur electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁴
17	Chlorine electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁵
18	Argon electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶
19	Potassium electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶4s¹
20	Calcium electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶4s²
21	Scandium electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d¹ 4s²
22	Titanium electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d² 4s²
23	Vanadium electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d³ 4s²
24	Chromium electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d⁵ 4s¹
25	Manganese electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d⁵ 4s²
26	Iron electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d⁶ 4s²
27	Cobalt electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d⁷ 4s²
28	Nickel electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d⁸ 4s²
29	Copper electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d¹⁰ 4s¹
30	Zinc electron configuration	1s²2s² 2p⁶3s² 3p⁶3d¹⁰ 4s²

FAQ

What is an Ion electron configuration calculator?

Ion electron configuration calculator is an online tool that helps in calculating the electron configuration for anion(negative charge) and cation atoms(positive charge).

ion electron configuration calculator

How do you find electron configuration for Ions(anion and cation)?

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About the author

Vishal Goyal

Vishal Goyal is the founder of Topblogtenz, a comprehensive resource for students seeking guidance and support in their chemistry studies. He holds a degree in B.Tech (Chemical Engineering) and has four years of experience as a chemistry tutor. The team at Topblogtenz includes experts like experienced researchers, professors, and educators, with the goal of making complex subjects like chemistry accessible and understandable for all. A passion for sharing knowledge and a love for chemistry and science drives the team behind the website. Let's connect through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-goyal-2926a122b/

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