Relative

energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements
Work

Electronic Structure
through this tutorial in sequence,
or go directly to the section required using the links below.
Use the home button (to right) to return to this screen.

Energy levels within atoms: sub-levels and orbitals

Filling energy levels and sub levels with electrons
Writing electronic configurations
Increasing
energy Ionisation

1s

Relative
energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements

Increasing
energy

1s

Relative
energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements

2p
2s
Increasing
energy

1s

Relative
energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements

3d
3p
3s
2p
2s
Increasing
energy

1s

Relative
energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements

s
4f
4d
4p
3d
4s
3p
3s
2p
2s

Increasing
energy

1s

Relative
energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements

s
4f
6s
5p
4d
5s
4p
3d
4s
3p
3s
2p
2s

Increasing
energy

1s

Relative
energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements

Electrons fill the lowest

available energy level
Click to add electrons

4p
3d
4s
3p
3s
2p
2s
Increasing
energy

1s

Cr
an
Cu
an electron
electron
promoted from
from 4s
4s to
to
4s fills
before
3disis promoted
3d to give a half-filled
3d subshell
full 3d subshell
Electrons remain unpaired
as far as possible

Relative
energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements

Electronic configuration in
full
Click to add electrons

4p
3d
4s
3p
3s
2p
2s
Increasing
energy

1s

12222222s
22s
222s
22s
12222222p
222p
22p
5
61
2346666
663s
22222
123p
2
3
4
62
6
16664s
5
664s
1
2221
221
223d
32810
1
5
6
10
710
10
5 4p
H 1s
He
Li
Be
B
C
N
O
F
Ne
Na
Mg
Al
Si
P
S
Cl
Ar
K
Ca
Sc
Ti
V
Cr
Mn
Fe
Co
Ni
Cu
Zn
Ga
Ge
As
Se
Br
Kr
1s
1s
1s
1s
1s
1s
1s
2s
2s
2s
2s
2p
2p
2p
2p
3s
3s
3s
3s
3s
3p
3p
3p
3p
3p
4s
4s
4s
4s
3d
3d
3d
3d
3d
4p
4p653421

Relative
energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements

Ionisation

3d
4s
3p
3s
2p
2s
Increasing
energy

1s

Zn

Zn2+

4s electrons (outer shell) are

removed before 3d (inner shell)

Relative
energy levels
of electrons
in gaseous
atoms of the
first 36
elements

Ionisation

3d
4s
3p
3s
2p
2s
Increasing
energy

1s

Fe

3+
Fe2+

4s
electrons
shell) are
Only
then are(outer
3d electrons
removed before 3d (inner shell)