Photoelectron spectrum of iron

An example figure from the Photoelectron Spectrum generator.

The photoelectron spectrum of iron with seven peaks from 1s² to 4s², the 3d⁶ peak just left of the 4s² peak — The photoelectron spectrum of an iron atom, 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁶ 4s², on a broken binding energy axis in MJ/mol, each group of nearby peaks given its own stretch. The 3d peak sits just to the left of the 4s peak: although 4s fills first, its electrons are held less tightly, which is why iron loses its 4s electrons first when it forms ions.

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Answer key

Iron (Fe): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁶
Peaks (MJ/mol, left to right): 1s 687, 2s 82.1, 2p 69.2, 3s 9.46, 3p 5.76, 3d 0.87, 4s 0.76

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