Lesson 15A.1

15A.1 Electronic configurations and oxidation states Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Chemistry, Unit 15

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 15A.1, Electronic configurations and oxidation states: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Chemistry (9CH0), Unit 15: Transition Metals, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the electronic configuration of an iron atom?

    • [Ar] 3d6 4s2
    • [Ar] 3d4 4s2
    • [Ar] 3d8
    • [Ar] 3d7

  2. What is the electronic configuration of a copper atom?

    • [Ar] 3d10 4s1
    • [Ar] 3d9 4s2
    • [Ar] 3d10 4s2
    • [Ar] 3d8 4s2

  3. What is the electronic configuration of the Fe2+ ion?

    • [Ar] 3d6
    • [Ar] 3d5
    • [Ar] 3d7
    • [Ar] 3d4 4s2

  4. What characterises a transition metal according to its strict definition?

    • Incomplete f subshell
    • Incomplete d subshell
    • Empty d subshell
    • Full d subshell

  5. Why do transition metals exhibit variable oxidation states?

    • Large atomic radii
    • High electronegativity values
    • Similar 3d-4s energies
    • Empty 3d subshells

  6. Which subshell loses electrons first when a first-row d-block atom forms an ion?

    • 4p subshell
    • 4s subshell
    • 3d subshell
    • 3p subshell

  7. What is the oxidation state of manganese in MnO4-?

    • +4
    • +5
    • +7
    • +2

  8. What is the oxidation state of chromium in Cr2O7^2-?

    • +2
    • +6
    • +7
    • +3

  9. What is the oxidation state of vanadium in V2O5?

    • +4
    • +2
    • +3
    • +5

  10. What is the electronic configuration of the Ni2+ ion?

    • [Ar] 3d8 4s1
    • [Ar] 3d10
    • [Ar] 3d9
    • [Ar] 3d8

  11. What is the electronic configuration of the Cu2+ ion?

    • [Ar] 3d10
    • [Ar] 3d8 4s1
    • [Ar] 3d9
    • [Ar] 3d7

  12. How many d electrons does Cr3+ have?

    • 3
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4

  13. How many d electrons does Fe3+ have?

    • 6
    • 4
    • 3
    • 5

  14. How many d electrons does Sc3+ have?

    • 0
    • 1
    • 3
    • 2

  15. What is the electronic configuration of Ti2+?

    • [Ar] 3d0 4s2
    • [Ar] 3d2
    • [Ar] 3d4
    • [Ar] 3d1 4s1

  16. Why is the electronic configuration of chromium [Ar] 3d5 4s1 instead of 3d4 4s2?

    • Full d subshell
    • Lower 4s energy
    • Half-filled d stability
    • Higher nuclear charge

  17. What is the oxidation state of chromium in K2Cr2O7?

    • +6
    • +3
    • +12
    • +7

  18. What is the electronic configuration of the d subshell in Fe3+?

    • 3d6
    • 3d4
    • 3d10
    • 3d5

  19. Which ion has the configuration [Ar] 3d4?

    • Mn2+
    • V2+
    • Fe2+
    • Cr2+

  20. Why is zinc not classified as a transition metal?

    • Variable oxidation states
    • Incomplete d subshell
    • Full d subshell
    • Empty d subshell

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