The largest oxidation number exhibited by an element depends on its outer eletronic configuration. With which of the following outer electronic configurations the element will exhibit largest oxidation number ?

Options

A. `3d^(2)4s^(2)`
B. `3d^(3)4s^(2)`
C. `3d^(5)4s^(1)`
D. `3d^(5)4s^(2)`

Explanation

To determine which outer electronic configuration allows an element to exhibit the largest oxidation number, we need to analyze the given configurations based on the number of d and s electrons they contain.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the given electronic configurations**:
- Option 1: 3d² 4s²
- Option 2: 3d³ 4s²
- Option 3: 3d⁵ 4s¹
- Option 4: 3d⁵ 4s²

2. **Understand the concept of oxidation number**:
- The maximum oxidation state of a transition metal can be calculated using the formula:
\[ \text{Maximum Oxidation State} = (n-1)d + ns \]
where \( n \) is the principal quantum number of the outermost shell.

3. **Calculate the maximum oxidation state for each configuration**:
- **Option 1 (3d² 4s²)**:
\[ \text{Maximum Oxidation State} = 2 (from \, 3d) + 2 (from \, 4s) = 4 \]
- **Option 2 (3d³ 4s²)**:
\[ \text{Maximum Oxidation State} = 3 (from \, 3d) + 2 (from \, 4s) = 5 \]
- **Option 3 (3d⁵ 4s¹)**:
\[ \text{Maximum Oxidation State} = 5 (from \, 3d) + 1 (from \, 4s) = 6 \]
- **Option 4 (3d⁵ 4s²)**:
\[ \text{Maximum Oxidation State} = 5 (from \, 3d) + 2 (from \, 4s) = 7 \]

4. **Compare the maximum oxidation states**:
- Option 1: 4
- Option 2: 5
- Option 3: 6
- Option 4: 7

5. **Conclusion**:
- The configuration with the largest maximum oxidation state is **Option 4 (3d⁵ 4s²)**, which can exhibit an oxidation number of 7.

### Final Answer:
The element with the outer electronic configuration **3d⁵ 4s²** will exhibit the largest oxidation number, which is **7**.