Quantum Number and losing electrons

[DocPanda]

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For a transition metal, when it loses an electron, is the highest principal number subshell the one that loses electron first? I'm having a hard time understanding when you have 4s2 3d5 and when you lose 1 electron, does it become 4s1 3d5? Or what if you lose 3 electrons, does it become 5d4? Can someone explain how you lose electrons and why? Hope my question makes sense.

 

[theonlytycrane]

Lose the outer s before the outer d. Remember that because "4" s is larger than "3" d.

Losing 1 becomes [Ar]4d1 3d5.
Losing 2 becomes [Ar]3d5.
Losing 3 becomes [Ar]3d4.

My quantum is weak and it doesn't interest me, so admittedly I just follow the rules to be able to do simple electron configurations for the test.

 

[aldol16]

You lose electrons from the shell with the highest principal quantum number because this is the highest-energy shell.

 

[DocPanda]

Thanks for the clarification guys!