Question:medium

What do you understand by isoelectronic species? Name a species that will be isoelectronic with each of the following atoms or ions. 
  1. F- 
  2. Ar 
  3. Mg2+ 
  4. Rb+

Updated On: Jan 20, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Atoms and ions having the same number of electrons are called isoelectronic species.

(i) \(F ^{-}\) ion has \(9 + 1 = 10\) electrons. Thus, the species isoelectronic with it will also have \(10\) electrons. Some of its isoelectronic species are
 \(Na ^+\) ion \((11 - 1 = 10 \,\text{electrons})\)\(Ne (10\; \text{electrons}), O^{2-}  \text{ion} (8 + 2 = 10 \;\text{electrons})\), and \(Al ^{3+}\)ion \((13 - 3 = 10 \;\text{electrons)}\).


(ii) \(Ar\) has \(18\) electrons. Thus, the species isoelectronic with it will also have \(18\) electrons. Some of its isoelectronic species are 
\(S ^{2-}\) ion \((16 + 2 = 18 \;\text{electrons)}\)\(Cl ^-\) ion \((17 + 1 = 18 \;\text{electrons)}\)\(K ^+\) ion \((19 - 1 = 18 \;\text{electrons)}\), and \(Ca ^{2+}\) ion \((20 - 2 = 18 \;\text{electrons)}\).


(iii) \(Mg ^{2+}\) ion has \(12 - 2 = 10\) electrons. 
Thus, the species isoelectronic with it will also have \(10\) electrons. Some of its isoelectronic species are \(F ^-\) ion \((9 + 1 = 10 \;\text{electrons)}\), Ne \((10\;\text{ electrons)}\)\(O ^{2-}\) ion \((8 + 2 = 10\;\text{ electrons)}\), and \(Al ^{3+}\) ion \((13 - 3 = 10\;\text{ electrons)}\).


(iv) \(Rb ^+\) ion has \(37 - 1 = 36\) electrons. 
Thus, the species isoelectronic with it will also have \(36\) electrons. Some of its isoelectronic species are \(Br ^-\)ion \((35 + 1 = 36 \;\text{electrons)}\)\(Kr\) \((36 \;\text{electrons)}\), and \(Sr ^{2+}\) ion \((38 - 2 = 36\;\text{ electrons)}\).

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