6.

2 Electron Configuration and the Periodic Table

Lesson Objectives

• Understand the relationship between the number of orbitals in various energy sublevels and the length of
the periods in the periodic table.
• Identify each block of the periodic table and be able to determine which block each element belongs to
based on its electron configuration.
• Describe the relationship between outer electron configuration and group number. Be able to determine
the number of valence electrons for any element.
• Locate the following groups on the periodic table: alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, halogens, and
noble gases.
• Locate the transition elements, lanthanides, and actinides on the periodic table.

Lesson Vocabulary
• actinide
• alkali metal
• alkaline earth metal
• halogen
• inner transition element
• lanthanide
• noble gas
• representative (main-group) elements
• transition element

Entry Task:

Check Your Understanding

• What is the difference between a principal energy level and a sublevel?
• How many orbitals are always present in each of the types of sublevels: s, p, d, f ?