The outer electronic configuration of copper is 3d10 4s1, yet it is considered transition element. Why?
copper displays two oxidation states (+1 and +2). In the +1 oxidation state, an electron is removed from the s-orbital. However, in the +2 oxidation state, an electron is removed from the d-orbital. Thus, the d-orbital now becomes incomplete (3d9). Hence, it is a transition element. wherein it will have incompletely filled d-orbitals (4d), hence a transition metal.
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