Question

Which lanthanide has the maximum number of unpaired electrons in both its atom and 3+ ion? Give the number of unpaired electrons in the atom and ion.

Short answer

Gadolinium has the maximum number of unpaired electrons in both atom and +3 ion

Gb - 8 unpaired electrons

Gb³+ 7 unpaired electrons

Step-by-step solution

Unpaired electron

An unpaired electron is an electron that occupies an orbital of an atom singly, instead of as a part of an electron pair.

The number of unpaired electrons in the atom and ion

The lanthanide has the maximum number of unpaired electrons in both its atom and 3+ ion is Gadolinium (Gd) and Electron configurations of Gd is Gb:[Xe]4f⁷5d¹6s² and unpaired electrons.

Gb - 8 unpaired electrons

Gb³+ 7 unpaired electrons