Atomic Structure and Electron Configuration

AP Chemistry· difficulty 3/5

Why is the configuration of Cr (Z = 24) [Ar] 4s¹ 3d⁵ instead of the expected [Ar] 4s² 3d⁴?

A
$A typo in the periodic table$
B
$Cr is radioactive$
C
$Random anomaly$
D
$A half-filled 3d subshell with parallel spins gives extra stability$
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Explanation

Half-filled subshells (3d⁵) have lower energy due to symmetric electron distribution and Hund's-rule maximum spin.

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