Shortcut process of Electronic Configuration

ZX be an element with atomic number 𝑍.

Steps:

1) Find the largest number among [0, 2, 10, 18, 36, 54, 86] which is smaller than 𝑍.
2) According to your choices, the period of the element is :
a. 0➔1st
b. 2➔2nd
c. 10➔3rd
d. 18➔4th
e. 36➔5th
f. 54➔6th
g. 86➔7th

Let it be 𝑛

3) Now, subtract the number you chose(say 𝑦) from 𝑍. Let the result be 𝑥.
4) Fill up 𝑛𝑠, (𝑛 − 2)𝑓, (𝑛 − 1)𝑑, 𝑛𝑝 orbitals in the same order. Don’t write the orbital which
doesn’t exist.
5) Let the result be 𝑛𝑠𝑎 , (𝑛 − 2)𝑓 𝑏 , (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 𝑐 , 𝑛𝑝 𝑑
6) Identify the inert gas with atomic number 𝑦 according to the following table
y Inert Gas
2 He
10 Ne
18 Ar
36 Kr
54 Xe
86 Rn
7) Let the inert gas be [𝑋]. Then, reqd configuration is [𝑋] 𝑛𝑠𝑎 , (𝑛 − 2)𝑓 𝑏 , (𝑛 − 1)𝑑 𝑐 , 𝑛𝑝 𝑑

Example

1) 85At

Largest number is 54.

Period is 6
85-54 = 31
6𝑠, 4𝑓, 5𝑑, 6𝑝 all exist.
Thus, we can fill them up with 31 electrons.
6𝑠 2 , 4𝑓 14 , 5𝑑10 , 6𝑝5
 The inert gas with atomic number 54 is Xe.
Ans : [𝑋𝑒]6𝑠2 , 4𝑓 14 , 5𝑑10 , 6𝑝 5

2) 80Hg

Largest number is 54.

Period is 6
80-54 = 26
6𝑠, 4𝑓, 5𝑑, 6𝑝 all exist.
Thus, we can fill them up with 26 electrons.
6𝑠 2 , 4𝑓 14 , 5𝑑10 , 6𝑝0
The inert gas with atomic number 54 is Xe.
Ans : [𝑋𝑒]6𝑠2 , 4𝑓 14 , 5𝑑10
3) 70Yb
Largest number is 54.
Period is 6
70-54 = 16
6𝑠, 4𝑓, 5𝑑, 6𝑝 all exist.
Thus, we can fill them up with 16 electrons.
6𝑠 2 , 4𝑓 14 , 5𝑑 0 , 6𝑝 0
The inert gas with atomic number 54 is Xe.
Ans : [𝑋𝑒]6𝑠2 , 4𝑓 14
4) 47Ag
Largest number is 36.
Period is 5
47-36 = 11
Among 5𝑠, 3𝑓, 4𝑑, 5𝑝, only 5𝑠, 4𝑑, 5𝑝 exist.
Thus, we can fill them up with 11 electrons.
5𝑠 2 , 4𝑑 9 , 5𝑝 0
The inert gas with atomic number 36 is Kr.
[𝐾𝑟]5𝑠2 , 4𝑑 9
Exception : since 4𝑑10 is much more stable than 4𝑑 9, so, one electron from 5𝑠 moves to 4𝑑.
Ans : [𝐾𝑟]5𝑠1 , 4𝑑10
5) 25Mn
Largest number is 18.
Period is 4
25-18 = 7
Among 4𝑠, 2𝑓, 3𝑑, 4𝑝 only 4𝑠, 3𝑑, 4𝑝 exist.
Thus, we can fill them up with 7 electrons.
4𝑠 2 , 3𝑑 5 , 4𝑝 0
The inert gas with atomic number 54 is Xe.
Ans : [𝑋𝑒]4𝑠2 , 3𝑑 5
 Elements with exceptional electronic configuration
Element Atomic number Actual configuration Expected configuration

Cr 24 [Ar] 3d54s1 [Ar] 3d⁴4s²

Cu 29 [Ar] 3d104s1 [Ar] 3d⁹4s²

Nb 41 [Kr] 4d45s1 [Kr] 4d³5s²

Mo 42 [Kr] 4d55s1 [Kr] 4d⁴5s²

Ru 44 [Kr] 4d75s1 [Kr] 4d⁶5s²

Rh 45 [Kr] 4d85s1 [Kr] 4d⁷5s²

Pd 46 [Kr] 4d10 [Kr] 4d⁸5s²

Ag 47 [Kr] 4d105s1 [Kr] 4d⁹5s²

La 57 [Xe] 5d16s2 [Xe] 4f¹6s²

Ce 58 [Xe] 4f15d16s2 [Xe] 4f²6s²

Gd 64 [Xe] 4f75d16s2 [Xe] 4f⁸6s²

Pt 78 [Xe] 4f145d96s1 [Xe] 4f¹⁴5d⁸6s²