The element Niobium (Z=41) is a transitional metal. It has two valences 3+ and 5+. Using an orbital filling diagram, predict the order in which electrons will leave their orbitals in order to achieve those valences (i.e. the first ___ electron will come out of the ___ orbital).

Answer 1

The electron configuration is [Kr] 4d4 5s1
The +5 state would be the removal of the 4-4d electrons plus the 1 5s electron. The +3 is the removal of the 5s1 electron plus two of the others.