---
title: "General outer electronic configuration of transition elements"
subject: "Engineering Chemistry"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_2/engineering_chemistry:tm-general-config"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/tm-general-config
site: BCT Engineering
---

# General outer electronic configuration of transition elements

Engineering Chemistry · Chapter 5: 3-d Transition Elements and their Applications

- Asked in: 2070 Bhadra, 1 marks
- Video: [Electronic Configuration - Transition Metals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXESnviqjKg) — Chemistry with Dr Steph
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/tm-general-config
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_2/engineering_chemistry/chapter-5

## Question

Write the general outer electronic configuration of transition elements.

## Short answer

The general outer electronic configuration of transition elements is (n−1)d¹⁻¹⁰ ns¹⁻².

## Answer

The general outer electronic configuration of transition elements is **(n−1)d¹⁻¹⁰ ns¹⁻²**.

For the 3d series this is 3d¹⁻¹⁰ 4s¹⁻² (for example Fe: 3d⁶ 4s²). Pd is an exception, with 4d¹⁰ 5s⁰.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is the general outer electronic configuration of transition elements?
   A. (n-1)d1-10 ns1-2
   B. (n-1)d0 ns2
   C. nd1-10 (n+1)s1-2
   D. ns2 np1-6
   Answer: A. d electrons fill the (n-1)d subshell with 1 or 2 ns electrons. (Key point: General configuration)

2. Which is the outer configuration of Fe?
   A. 3d8 4s0
   B. 3d6 4s2
   C. 3d4 4s2
   D. 3d6 4s0
   Answer: B. Fe is [Ar] 3d6 4s2. (Key point: 3d series example)

3. Which element is an exception, with 4d10 5s0?
   A. Ag
   B. Zn
   C. Pd
   D. Fe
   Answer: C. Pd has the configuration 4d10 5s0. (Key point: Exception)

## Related in Engineering Chemistry

- [Transition elements; first series configuration](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Awhy-transition-elements-typical) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [Transition elements; configuration; paramagnetism](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Atm-config-paramagnetism) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [Characteristics of transition series; first-row configuration](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Atm-characteristics-config) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [d-block elements; 3d configuration; non-typical metals](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Adblock-config-not-typical) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [Transition elements; why so called; 3d configurations](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Atm-called-config) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5
- [Complex formation by transition elements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fengineering_chemistry%3Acomplex-formation-tm) — Engineering Chemistry, chapter 5, asked 11×

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