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Question
In what way is the electronic configuration of the transition elements different from that of the non-transition elements?
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Solution
The general electronic configuration of transition elements is (n – 1)d1–10 ns1–2 (or ns0–2), meaning they have an incompletely filled d-subshell in their atomic or common ionic states. In contrast, non-transition elements either lack d-orbitals or have completely filled d-orbitals (d10), and their valence shell configuration is typically ns1−2 or ns1−6.
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