Question

The outer shell electronic configuration of transition block elements is given by ________

(a) (n-1)d^1-10ns^2

(b) (n-1)d^1-10(n-1)s^0-2

(c) (n-1)d^1-10ns^0-2

(d) nd^1-10ns^0-2

The question was asked during a job interview.

This intriguing question originated from Electronic Configurations and Types of Elements: s, p, d and f Blocks topic in division Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct answer is (c) (n-1)d^1-10ns^0-2

Easiest explanation: Transition block elemts are d-block elements. The electrons fill in the d-orbital, and s-orbital orbital gets varied for maintaing stability of atoms. Therefore the outer shell electronic configuration of transition block elements is given by (n-1)d^1-10ns^0-2.