Electron configuration calculator for Ions
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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 O2- ion?
- We know, in general, that the electron configuration of Oxygen (O) is 1s22s22p4.
- Now, in O2- ion, the negative charge means, oxygen has gained two extra electrons.
- Therefore, to write the electron configuration of O2- ion, we have to add two electrons to the configuration of Oxygen (O).
- The resulting electron configuration for Oxide ion (O2-) 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 |
| C4- | Carbon has gained four extra electrons | 1s22s2 2p2 → 1s22s22p6 |
| N3- | Nitrogen has gained three extra electrons | 1s22s2 2p3 → 1s22s22p6 |
| O2- | 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 |
| P3- | Phosphorus gains three electrons | 1s22s22p63s23p3 → 1s22s22p63s23p6 |
| S2- | 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 |
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).
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How do you find electron configuration for Ions(anion and cation)?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. |
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