Question:
In what way is the electronic configuration of the transition elements different from that of the non-transition elements?
Solution:
Transition metals have a partially filled d−orbital. Therefore, the electronic configuration of transition elements is (n − 1)d1-10 ns0-2.
The non-transition elements either do not have a d−orbital or have a fully filled d−orbital. Therefore, the electronic configuration of non-transition elements is ns1-2 or ns2 np1-6.