UNDERSTANDING ELECTRONS

AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION:

Writing Electron Configuration
Science 8
Teacher Francis Lim
SUBATOMIC
PARTICLES
 Atomic Structures
• Electrons circle the nucleus
in the same way that planets
orbit the planets
• The atom’s
electrons travel in
an area of space
around the nucleus
called the electron
cloud.
 5.1

The Quantum Mechanical Model

• The electron cloud of an atom
can be compared to a spinning
airplane propeller. The propeller
blade has the same probability
of being anywhere in the blurry
region, but you cannot tell its
location at any instant.
– The quantum model determines
the allowed energies an electron
can have and how likely it is to
find the electron in various
locations around the nucleus.
 5.1

The Quantum Mechanical Model

• The probability of finding
an electron within a
certain volume of space
surrounding the nucleus
can be represented as a
fuzzy cloud.
– The cloud is more dense
where the probability of
finding the electron is
high.
 Orbital (“electron cloud”)
• Region in space where there is 90% probability of
finding an e-
 3rd energy level /
orbital

2nd energy level /

orbital

NUCLEUS

4th energy level /

1st energy level / orbital
orbital
Where do electrons “live”?
A. Principal Energy Levels / Shells
1. Principal energy levels n =1 to 7.
(Row # on the periodic table)

• The electron’s principal energy

level is based on its location around
the nucleus.

• Electrons closer to the nucleus are

at a lower energy level and have
lower energy than those farther
away from the nucleus
Energy Levels/Shells
• Regions in an atom where the electrons
are found

• Principal energy levels/shells (1st, 2nd,

3rd, 4th) can accommodate the following
number of electrons:
• (1) 1st energy level = 2 electrons
• (2) 2nd energy level = 8 electrons
• (3) 3rd energy level = 18 electrons)
2n2 • (4) 4th energy level = 32 electrons
Subshells/Sub-energy levels
• Represented by letters s, p, d, f
• Each subshell has orbitals
• Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons
• Different subshells have the following maximum
number of electrons: s=2, p=6, d=10, f=14
Subshells Orbital # of electrons (Orbital x2)
s 1 2
p 3 6
d 5 10
f 7 14
Subshells/Sub-energy levels
N (Energy Level) Sublevel inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f

• Notice that the number of sublevels in an

energy level is equal to the number of the
energy level
Hydrogen (H) - 1 e NUCLEUS

1st energy level /

orbital

Helium (He) - 2 e NUCLEUS e

1st energy level /

orbital
Subshells/Sub-energy levels
N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f

• Notice that the number of sublevels in an

energy level is equal to the number of the
energy level
 e

Lithium (Li) - 3 e NUCLEUS e

2nd energy level /
orbital

1st energy level /

orbital e

e e

Neon (Ne) - 10 e e NUCLEUS e e

2nd energy level /
orbital
1st energy level / e e
orbital
e
Subshells/Sub-energy levels
N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f

• Notice that the number of sublevels in an

energy level is equal to the number of the
energy level
Writing Electron Configuration
• Electron configuration is the arrangement or
distribution of electrons in an atom.

• Two (2) ways to arrange or distribute electrons

inside an atom:
• By orbital notation

• By complete configuration
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p
3s 3p 3d
4s 4p 4d 4f PATTERN
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p
3s 3p 3d
4s 4p 4d 4f PATTERN
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p
3s 3p 3d PATTERN
4s 4p 4d 4f
5s 5p 5d 5f 1s
6s 6p 6d 6f
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p
3s 3p 3d PATTERN
4s 4p 4d 4f
5s 5p 5d 5f 1s 2s
6s 6p 6d 6f
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p
3s 3p 3d PATTERN
4s 4p 4d 4f
5s 5p 5d 5f 1s 2s 2p 3s
6s 6p 6d 6f
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p
3s 3p 3d PATTERN
4s 4p 4d 4f
5s 5p 5d 5f 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s
6s 6p 6d 6f
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p
3s 3p 3d PATTERN
4s 4p 4d 4f
5s 5p 5d 5f 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s
6s 6p 6d 6f
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p PATTERN
3s 3p 3d
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f 4d 5p 6s
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p PATTERN
3s 3p 3d
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p PATTERN
3s 3p 3d
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p 5f 6d
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s
2s 2p PATTERN
3s 3p 3d
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p 5f 6d 6f
 N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p
3s 3p 3d 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s
4s 4p 4d 4f
5s 5p 5d 5f 4d 5p 6s 4f 5d 6p 5f 6d 6f
6s 6p 6d 6f and so on…
ORBITAL DIAGRAM
• Orbital diagrams are pictorial descriptions of the
electrons in an atom.
• Three rules are useful in forming orbital diagrams.
According to the Aufbau Principle, each electron
occupies the lowest energy orbital.
• The Pauli Exclusion Principle says that only two
electrons can fit into a single orbital.
• Hund’s Principle states that if two or more orbitals
of equal energy are available, electrons will occupy
them singly with the same spin, before filling them
in pairs with opposite spins.
 The Aufbau Principle
• Each electron occupies the lowest energy orbital
available
• Like filling the hotel from the bottom up
 Aufbau Diagram

Which has a lower energy level 4s or 3d orbitals?

 Pauli Exclusion Principle
• A maximum of two electrons may occupy a
single orbital
• Like only two people sharing one hotel
room
 Hund’s Rule
• If two or more orbitals of equal energy are
available, electrons will occupy them singly
with the same spin, before filling them in pairs
with opposite spins
• A spin is denoted with an up or down 
arrow to fill orbitals
• This is like trying to find your own room in the
same suite before having to share a room with
someone else
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Hydrogen (H) - 1
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Hydrogen (H) - 1
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Helium (He) - 2
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Helium (He) - 2
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Helium (He) - 2
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
ORBITAL N (Energy Level)
1
Sublevels inside
s
DIAGRAM 2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE CONFIGURATION
PARTS OF THE ELECTRON
DISTRIBUTION /
CONFIGURATION
Number of

1s2
electrons

Energy Subshell/sublevel
level (orbital)
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Hydrogen (H) - 1
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Hydrogen (H) - 1
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Hydrogen (H) - 1
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p = 1s1
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Helium (He) - 2
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Helium (He) - 2
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Helium (He) - 2
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Helium (He) - 2
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p = 1s2
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p
COMPLETE N (Energy Level) Sublevels inside
CONFIGURATION 1 s
2 s, p
3 s, p, d
4 s, p, d, f
1s PATTERN
2s 2p Oxygen (O) - 8
3s 3p 3d __ __ __ __ __ __
4s 4p 4d 4f 1s 2s 2p 3s
5s 5p 5d 5f
6s 6p 6d 6f __ __ __
3p = 1s2 2s2 2p4
 IMPORTANCE OF ELECTRON
CONFIGURATION
• Identify the valence shell and valence electron/s of an
element.
• Valence shell is the last or outermost energy shell of every
element.
• Valence electrons are electrons in the outermost orbital of
an atom.
• For group A elements, the group number corresponds to
the number of valence electrons.
 IMPORTANCE OF ELECTRON
CONFIGURATION
• Take for example Oxygen. Since oxygen has electron
configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p4, its last or outermost energy shell
is 2 (from 2s and 2p).
• From Oxygen’s valence shell, let’s identify its valence electron
this time. Since the last electrons in the orbit of Oxygen can be
found in energy level 2, then we must consider the electrons
stated in both subshells: 2s has 2 electrons plus 2p has 4
electrons, also. Therefore, the valence electrons is 6.
• Note that Oxygen is under group 6A, hence valence electrons
is also 6.
 IMPORTANCE OF ELECTRON
CONFIGURATION
• However, there are atoms with valence electrons that need
not to be derived from two different orbitals or subshells
just like what we did in Oxygen.
• In the event that it has only one last energy level, the
number of electrons there is the valence elecrons.
• Take Beryllium-4 (Be-4) for example. Its electron
configuration is 1s2 2s2. In this case, it only has one energy
level and one orbital/subshell which is 2. That means, its
valence shell is 2 and valence electrons is 2, as well.
IN SUMMARY
• Electrons circle the nucleus in the same way
that planets orbit the sun
• Negative electrons are attracted to the positive
nucleus.
• Electron cloud (orbital) is a region in space
where there is 90% probability of finding an e-.
• The cloud is denser (thicker or more
concentrated) where the probability of finding
the electron is high.
IN SUMMARY

• The circles where electrons orbit are referred to as

energy levels or shells.
• The electron’s principal energy level is based on its
location around the nucleus.
• Electrons closer to the nucleus are at a lower energy
level and have lower energy than those farther away
from the nucleus.
• Each energy level can only hold a certain number of
electrons. 1st energy level holds 2 electrons, the 2nd
energy level has 8 electrons, the 3rd energy level
holds 18 and 4th energy level has 32 electrons.
IN SUMMARY
• Inside the energy levels are sublevels (s, p, d, and f).
• Inside the sublevels are orbitals.
• A maximum of 2 electrons can occupy an orbital.
• Electron configuration is how electrons are arranged
or distributed in an atom.
• Orbital diagrams are pictorial descriptions of the
electrons in an atom using arrows.
• Arrows up and down denote opposite spinning of
electrons in an orbital.
IN SUMMARY
Aufbau Principle states that
each electron must occupy
the lowest energy orbitals
first.
The Pauli Exclusion
Principle says that only
two electrons can fit into a
single orbital.

Hund’s Principle states that if two or Complete

more orbitals of equal energy are configuration uses
available, electrons will occupy them superscripts
singly with the same spin, before instead of arrows,
filling them in pairs with opposite which pertains to
spins. the electrons.
 IN SUMMARY
ENERGY SUBSHELLS/ SUB- ENERGY LEVELS TOTAL
LEVEL/ NUMBER OF
ENERGY MAXIMUM ELECTRONS
SHELLS NAMES ORBITAL ELECTRONS (MAXIMUM)
EACH (2)
1st s 1 2 2
s 1 2
nd
2 8
p 3 6
s 1 2
3rd p 3 6 18
d 5 10
s 1 2

th
p 3 6
4 32
d 5 10
f 7 14
 ASSESSMENT TIME
• Please refer to the Seatwork #5 for 3rd quarter
about Electron Configuration that will be
uploaded/posted on your Schoology class/course.
• Read and understand the instructions carefully.
• Answer and submit it on or before Monday,
February 15, 2021, 11:59 PM.
• If you have questions, concerns or clarification
about the topic and the task, feel free to message
me in Schoology.