S.Jebez.M.Sc.M.ed.M.Phil.

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Electronic configuration

1. Aufbau principle

 In the ground state of the atoms, the orbitals are filled in the
order of their increasing energies.
 i.e. The electrons first occupy the lowest energy orbital
available to them.

 Orbitals and maximum number of electrons to be accomodated

s – 2, p – 6, d – 10, f – 14

l = 0 (s) l=1 (p) l=2(d) l=3(f)

 Maximum number of electrons in an orbit/shell = 2n2

 Maximum number of electrons in an orbital = 2(2l+1)
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 Electropositive is those elements or groups that give up

electrons such as metals.
 Cesium is the most electropositive element/least
electronegative element (0.7)

 Electronegativity refers to the ability of an atom to attract the

shared electrons in a covalent bond.
 Fluorine is the most electronegative element. (4.0)

Na – 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 (2,8,1)

11 - Electropositive element

Cl - 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5 (2,8,7) - Electronegative element

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2. n + l rule

(n-Principal quantum number)

(l-Azimuthul quantum number)

 It states that, the lower the value of (n+l) for an orbital, the
lower is its energy.
 If two orbitals have the same value of (n+l), the orbital with
lower value of n will have the lower energy.

 Examples:-

1s orbital 2s orbital 2p orbital 3s orbital

n=1 n=2 n=2 n=3

l=0 l=0 l=1 l=0

(n+l) = 1 2 3 3

ORBITS (2n2) ORBITAL 2(2l+1)

n= 1 2 3 4 l= 0 1 2 3

K, L, M, N s, p, d, f

2 8 18 32 2 6 10 14
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3. Pauli‟s exclusion principle

 “No two electrons in an atom can have the same set of values

for all four quantum numbers”.

 It means that, each electron must have unique values for the

four quantum numbers (n, l, m and s)

4. Hund‟s rule of maximum multiplicity

 It states that electron pairing in the degenerate orbitals does

not take place until all the available orbitals contains one

electron each.

 Example:- Electronic configuration of carbon

 C – 1s2 2s2 2p2
6

 N - 1s2 2s2 2p3

7

 O - 1s2 2s2 2p4

8

 F - 1s2 2s2 2p5

9

 10 Ne - 1s2 2s2 2p6

 In carbon, electron pairing does not takes place until all the
available orbitals contain one electron each.
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Actual electronic configuration &

Expected electronic configuration.

 The actual electronic configuration of some elements such as

chromium and copper slightly differ from the expected
electronic configuration in accordance with the Aufbau
principle.

 Expected:- Cr - 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d4

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 Actual:- Cr - 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d5

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
Expected:- Cu - 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d9
29


Actual:- Cu - 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d10
29

Stability of half filled and completely filled orbitals

 The exactly half filled and completely filled orbitals have

greater stability than other partially filled configurations in

degenerate orbitals.

 Half filled and fully filled electronic configurations are more

stable due to symmetry and exchange energy.

 Symmetry – Symmetrical distribution of electrons

 Exchange energy – They exchange their position among

themselves.
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 Example:- Chromium has the electronic configuration [Ar]3d5

4s1 and not [Ar]3d1 4s2 due to the symmetrical distribution and
exchange energies of „d‟ electrons.

Orbitals with Half filled and fully filled electronic configuration

 The degenerate orbitals such as Px, Py and Pz have equal

energies and their orientation in space are different as shown
in Figure 2.14.

Figure 2.14 Shape of the degenerate p orbitals.

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s – Spherical p – dumb-bell

d- Clover leaf shape f – diffused shape

 Due to this symmetrical distribution, the shielding of one

electron on the other is relatively small and hence the
electrons are attracted more strongly by the nucleus and it
increases the stability.

Exchange energy

 If two or more electrons with the same spin are present in

degenerate orbitals, there is a possibility for exchanging their

positions.

 During exchange process the energy is released and the

released energy is called Exchange energy.

 If more number of exchanges are possible, more exchange

energy is released.

 More number of exchanges are possible only in case of half

filled and fully filled configurations.

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Possible exchanges in chromium for d5 configuration

Possible exchanges in chromium for d4 configuration

 The exchange energy is the basis for Hund's rule,

which allows maximum multiplicity, that is electron

pairing is possible only when all the degenerate

orbitals contain one electron each.

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1. Which one has the stable electronic configuration?

1. Ni2+ or Fe3+

2. Mn2+ (or) Mn3+

3. Nitrogen (or) Oxygen

4. Phosphorus (or) Sulphur.

2. Write the electronic configuration of Zn2+, Al3+, Ti3+, Sc3+, F-, O2-.