Thread: Prediction of Oxidation Numbers?

Predict the charge of barium and provide a reason for your prediction.

Solution: Write the electron configuration for barium. [Xe]6s 2

It is a metal and can only be positive and lose electrons.



I have no idea how they get the answer of

2+, because it wants to empty the s sublevel

empty the sublevel? What are we really doing and how do you do it

Most elements try to attain a noble gas configuration, or full or empty d or f shells with a noble gas configuration.

Barium has 2 electrons extra than required to get the configuration for xenon (a noble gas). To become stable, it will try to lose its outer two electrons, so that the configuration will be [Xe]. This means its charge will be +2.