Question

What is the electron configuration of Xe^2-

Answer 1

Xenon belongs to the group of noble gas elements (group 18) of the periodic table and has an atomic number 54.

The complete electron configuration of Xenon (Xe) can be written as -

or abbreviated as -

In Xe^2-, two extra electrons are added to Xenon. Although this process is practically near-impossible, becuase Xe is an inert element and resists any change in its electron configuration. However, for theoretical understanding, we can say that these two extra electrons will go to the next higher energy orbital which is 6s. Therefore, the electron configuration of Xe^2- is -

or .

Note that, s-orbital can accommodate two electrons, so both electrons will occupy this orbital. This configuration is equivalent to that of Barium.