Question

What is common feature in the electronic configuration of metal atoms

Answer 1

Metals are the elements which loose their valence electrons and forms a positive charged ion called cation.

Take the examples of metals, Sodium ($Na$), Calcium ($Ca$) and Aluminium ($Al$).

The electronic configuration of Sodium ($Na$) is $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^1$

The electronic configuration of Calcium ($Ca$) is $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^2$

The electronic configuration of Sodium ($Al$) is $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^1$

In the above examples we can see that metals are going to have 1, 2 or 3 electrons in their valence shell.

Therefore, the common feature in the electronic configuration of metal atoms is that they are going to have 1, 2 or 3 electrons in their valence shell and they can be donated easily.