The atomic number of iron (fe) is 26. Electronic configuration of Fe with 26 electrons is
1S2
2S2
2P6
3S2
3P6
4S2
3d6
Fe3+ means 926-3) electrons = 23 electrons.
![](https://ek6yr2waqi6.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/electron-1024x1019.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Due to the fact partially filled orbital configuration is stable enough,
We can say
Fe3+ = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4do 3d5
The outer s and d orbitals dictates its configuration that orbitals therefore have 5 electrons in its outermost part. Since the outermost shell can be occupied by a maximum number of 10 electrons it will have 5 unpaired electrons.
Also
Fe-1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d6 4s2
When Fe+ loses one electron = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d6, 4s1
And when Fe loses 2 electrons, Fe2+ =1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d6 4s0
When Fe loses 3 electrons its, Fe3+ =1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5
![](https://ek6yr2waqi6.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/electron2-1024x696.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
For Fe to convert to Fe3+ it will have to lose 2 electrons from 4s orbital and 1 electron from 3d orbital. The resulting electronic configuration becomes 4s^0 and 3d^5.
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