1

CHAPTER 2
ATOMIC ELECTRON
CONFIGURATIONS
 2
ATOMIC ELECTRON
CONFIGURATIONS AND PERIODICITY
 Arrangement of Electrons 3

in Atoms
Electrons in atoms are arranged as

SHELLS (n)

SUBSHELLS (l)

ORBITALS (ml)
 4
Arrangement of Electrons
in Atoms

Each orbital can be assigned no

more than 2 electrons!

This is tied to the existence of a 4th

quantum number, the electron spin
quantum number, ms.
 5

Electron
Spin
Quantum
Number,
ms
Can
Can be
be proven
proven experimentally
experimentally that
that an
an
electron
electron has
has aa spin.
spin.
The
The two
two spin
spin directions
directions are
are given
given by
by mmss
where
where mmss == +1/2
+1/2 and
and -1/2.
-1/2.
 6
Electron Spin Quantum Number

Diamagnetic
Diamagnetic:: substance
substance NOT
NOT attracted
attracted to
to
aa magnetic
magnetic field.
field.
Paramagnetic
Paramagnetic:: substance
substance is
is attracted
attracted to
to aa
magnetic
magnetic field.
field. Substance
Substance has
has unpaired
unpaired
electrons
electrons..
 7
Paramagnetic -vs- Ferromagnetic
Unpaired electrons
in an electric field
alien themselves to
the applied field

Unpaired electrons in their

normal, random orientation.

ALL metals behave this way, the

exception is Cobalt, the reason
why Cobalt magnets are so
VERY expensive.
 8

QUANTUM
QUANTUM
NUMBERS
NUMBERS

nn --->
---> shell
shell 1,
1, 2,
2, 3,
3, 4,
4, ...
...
ll --->
---> subshell
subshell 0,
0, 1,
1, 2,
2, ...
... nn -- 11
m
ml l --->
---> orbital
orbital --ll ...
... 00 ...
... ++ll
m
mss --->
---> electron
electron spin
spin +1/2
+1/2 and
and -1/2
-1/2
 9

Pauli Exclusion Principle

No two electrons in the

same atom can have
the same set of 4
quantum numbers.
That is, each electron has a
unique address = set of 4
quantum numbers.
 10
Electrons
Electrons in
in Atoms
Atoms
When n = 1, then l = 0
this shell has a single orbital (1s) to which
2e- can be assigned.

When n = 2, then l = 0, 1
2s orbital 2e-
three 2p orbitals 6e-
TOTAL = 8e-
 11
Electrons
Electrons in
in Atoms
Atoms

When
When nn == 3,
3, then
then ll == 0,
0, 1,
1, 22
3s
3s orbital
orbital 2e-
2e-
three
three 3p
3p orbitals
orbitals 6e-
6e-
five
five 3d
3d orbitals
orbitals 10e-
10e-
TOTAL
TOTAL == 18e-
18e-
 12
Electrons
Electrons in
in Atoms
Atoms
When n = 4, then l = 0, 1, 2, 3
4s orbital 2e- And
Andmany
manymore!
more!
three 4p orbitals 6e-
five 4d orbitals 10e-
seven 4f orbitals 14e-
TOTAL = 32e-
 13

Figure 2.4
 14
Assigning Electrons to Subshells
• In the H atom all
subshells of same n
have same energy.
• In many-electron atom:
a) subshells increase in
energy as value of n + l
increases.
b) for subshells of same
n + l, subshell with
lower n is lower in
energy.
 15

Electron
Filling Order
Figure 8.5
 16

Writing
Writing Atomic
Atomic Electron
Electron
Configurations
Configurations
Two ways of writing
complete
configurations.
One is called the SPECTROSCOPIC NOTATION
spectroscopic for H, atomic number = 1
notation. 1 no. of
1s electrons

value of l
value of n
 17
Writing
Writing Atomic
Atomic Electron
Electron
Configurations
Configurations
Two
Two ways
ways of of
writing
writing ORBITAL BOX NOTATION
complete
complete for He, atomic number = 2
configurations.
configurations. Arrows
2 depict
Other
Other is
is called
called
the orbital
the orbital
1s electron
spin
box 1s
box notation.
notation.

One electron has n = 1, l = 0, ml = 0, ms = + 1/2

Other electron has n = 1, l = 0, ml = 0, ms = - 1/2
18
 19

Figure 8.7
 20

Lithium
Lithium
Group 1A
Atomic number = 3
1s22s1 ---> 3 total electrons

3p
3s

2p
2s

1s
 21

Beryllium
Beryllium
Group 2A
Atomic number = 4
1s22s2 ---> 4 total
3p electrons
3s

2p
2s

1s
 22

Boron
Boron
Group 3A
Atomic number = 5
1s2 2s2 2p1 ---> 5 total
electrons
3p
3s

2p
2s

1s
 23

Carbon
Carbon
Group 4A
Atomic number = 6
1s2 2s2 2p2 ---> 6 total
electrons
3p
3s
Here we see HUND’S RULE.
2p
2s When placing electrons in a
set of orbitals having the
1s same energy, we place them
singly as long as possible.
 24

Nitrogen
Nitrogen

Group 5A
Atomic number = 7
1s2 2s2 2p3 ---> 7 total
3p
electrons
3s

2p
2s

1s
 25

Oxygen
Oxygen

Group 6A
Atomic number = 8
1s2 2s2 2p4 ---> 8 total
electrons
3p
3s

2p
2s

1s
 26

Fluorine
Fluorine
Group 7A
Atomic number = 9
1s2 2s2 2p5 ---> 9 total
electrons
3p
3s

2p
2s

1s
 27

Neon
Neon
Group 8A
Atomic number = 10
1s2 2s2 2p6 ---> 10 total
electrons
3p
3s
Note that we have
2p reached the end of
2s
the 2nd period, and
1s
the 2nd shell is full!
28
 29
Electron Configurations
Noble gas configuration: filled s and p levels.
Electron configs. are shortened by using the noble
gas configuration to represent the core electrons.
The remaining electrons are valence electrons.
Notations: Examples: Boron
Spectroscopic 1s22s22p1
Orbital Box 1s 2s 2p

Noble Gas [He] 2s22p1

Valence 2s22p1
 30

Electron Configurations
of p-Block Elements
 31

Sodium
Sodium
Group 1A
Atomic number = 11
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 or
“neon core” + 3s1
[Ne] 3s1 (uses rare gas notation)
Note that we have begun a new period.
All Group 1A elements have
[core]ns1 configurations.
 32

Aluminum
Aluminum
Group 3A
Atomic number = 13
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1
[Ne] 3s2 3p1
3p
All Group 3A elements 3s

have [core] ns2 np1 2p

configurations where 2s

n is the period
1s
number.
 33
Phosphorus
Phosphorus
Group 5A
Atomic number = 15
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3
[Ne] 3s2 3p3
All Group 5A 3p
elements have 3s
[core ] ns2 np3 2p
configurations 2s
where n is the
period number. 1s
 34

Calcium
Calcium
Group 2A
Atomic number = 20
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2
[Ar] 4s2

All Group 2A elements have

[core]ns2 configurations
where n is the period number.
 35

Relationship of Electron Configuration

and Region of the Periodic Table

- Gray = s block - Orange = p block

- Green = d block - Violet = f block
 36
Transition
Transition Metals
Metals
Table
Table 2.4
2.4
All 4th period elements have the
configuration [argon] nsx (n - 1)dy
and so are “d-block” elements.

Chromium
Iron Copper
 37
Transition Element
Configurations

3d
3d orbitals
orbitals used
used for
for
Sc
Sc -- Zn
Zn (Table
(Table 8.4)
8.4)
38
Figure 2.9 39
 40

Lanthanides
Lanthanides and
and Actinides
Actinides
All these elements have the configuration
[core] nsx (n - 1)dy (n - 2)fz and so are
“f-block” elements.

Cerium
[Xe] 6s2 5d1 4f1

Uranium
[Rn] 7s2 6d1 5f3
 41

Lanthanide Element Configurations

4f
4f orbitals
orbitals used
used forfor
Ce
Ce -- Lu
Lu and
and 5f
5f for
for
Th
Th -- Lr
Lr (Table
(Table 2.2)
2.2)
 42
Ion
Ion Configurations
Configurations
To form cations from elements remove 1
or more e- from subshell of highest n
[or highest (n + l)].
P [Ne] 3s2 3p3 ---> P3+ [Ne] 3s2 3p0 + 3e-
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p

P P3+
 43
Ion
Ion Configurations
Configurations
For transition metals, remove ns electrons
and then (n - 1) electrons.
Fe [Ar] 4s2 3d6 ---> Fe2+ [Ar] 4s0 3d6 + 2e-
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s

3d
Fe2+ Fe
 44

Ion
Ion Configurations
Configurations

How do we know the configurations of ions?

Determine the magnetic properties of ions.

Ions with UNPAIRED ELECTRONS are

PARAMAGNETIC.
Without unpaired electrons DIAMAGNETIC.
 45

Sample
Sample Question
Question
Give the electron configuration for Ni+4.
Include the valence box diagram and
state if the ion is paramagnetic or
diamagnetic.
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s

3d
Ni4+ Ni
 46

PERIODIC
TRENDS

Movies on these later!!

 47
General Periodic Trends
1. Atomic and ionic size
2. Ionization energy
3. Electron affinity

Higher
Higher Z*.
Z*.
Electrons
Electrons held
held
more
more tightly.
tightly.
Larger
Larger orbitals.
orbitals.
Electrons
Electrons held
held less
less
tightly.
tightly.
 48

Atomic
Atomic Size
Size SIZE

•• Size
Size goes
goes UPUP when
when going
going down
down aa
group.
group. See
See Figure
Figure 2.9.
2.9.
•• Because
Because electrons
electrons are
are added
added
further
further from
from the
the nucleus,
nucleus, there
there is
is
less
less attraction.
attraction.
•• Size
Size goes
goes DOWN
DOWN when
when going
going
across
across aa period.
period.
The nuclear charge 49
increases
 50
Atomic
Atomic Size
Size
Size decreases
across a period
owing to
increase in Z*.
Each added
electron feels a
greater and
greater +
charge.
 51

Trends
Trends in
in Atomic
Atomic Size
Size
Radius
Radius(pm)
(pm)
250
250
KK

3rd
3rdperiod
period 1st
1sttransition
transition
200
200 series
2nd Na series
2ndperiod
period Na
LiLi
150
150

Kr
Kr
100
100
Ar
Ar
Ne
Ne
50
50

He
He
0
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Atomic
AtomicNumber
Number
52
 53

Ion
Ion Sizes
Sizes

Does
Does thethe size
size go
go
up
up or +down
or down whenwhen
losing
losing
+
an
an electron
electron
Li,152 pm Li , 60 pm
3e and 3p to
2e form
toand 3 p aa cation?
form cation?
 54
Ion
Ion Sizes
Sizes
• CATIONS are
SMALLER than
the atoms from
which they come.
• The
electron/proton
attraction has
gone UP and so
size DECREASES.
 55
Ion
Ion Sizes
Sizes

Does
Does thethe size
size go
go up
up or
or
down -
down when
when gaining
gaining an
an
F,64 pm electron
F to
- , 136 pm
electron to form
form an
an
9e and 9p anion?
anion?
10 e and 9 p
 56

Ion
Ion Sizes
Sizes
• ANIONS are
LARGER than the
atoms from
which they come.
• The
electron/proton
attraction has
gone DOWN and
so size
INCREASES.
 57

Figure 2.13
 58
Ionization
Ionization Energy
Energy
See
See Figure
Figure 2.12
2.12

IE = energy required to remove an electron

from an atom in the gas phase.

Mg (g) + 738 kJ ---> Mg+ (g) + e-

A(g) ---> A+(g) + e- I.E. = +E

 59
Ionization
Ionization Energy
Energy
IE = energy required to remove an electron from
an atom in the gas phase.
Mg (g) + 738 kJ ---> Mg+ (g) + e-
Mg+ (g) + 1451 kJ ---> Mg2+ (g) + e-

Mg+ has 12 protons and only 11 electrons.

Therefore, IE for Mg+ > Mg.
 60

Ionization
Ionization Energy
Energy
Mg (g) + 735 kJ ---> Mg+ (g) + e-
Mg+ (g) + 1451 kJ ---> Mg2+ (g) + e-
Mg2+ (g) + 7733 kJ ---> Mg3+ (g) + e-

Energy cost is very high to dip into a shell

of lower n. This is why ox. no. = Group no.
 61
Trends
Trends in
in Ionization
Ionization Energy
Energy
• IE increases across a
period because Z*
increases.
• Metals lose electrons more
easily than nonmetals.
• Metals are good reducing
agents.
• Nonmetals lose electrons
with difficulty.
 62

Trends
Trends in
in Ionization
Ionization Energy
Energy

• IE decreases down a group

• Because size increases.
• Reducing ability generally
increases down the periodic
table.
• See reactions of Li, Na, K
Figure 8.11 63
 64

Periodic Trend
in the Reactivity
of Alkali Metals
Lithium with Water

Sodium Potassium
Here are those movies promised!
 65
Electron Affinity
A few elements GAIN electrons to
form anions.
Electron affinity is the energy
involved when an atom Gains an
electron.

A(g) + e- ---> A- (g) E.A. = -E

Note: Both
EA’s and IE’s Cl E.A. = -349 kJ/Mol
are “-”.
 66

Electron Affinity of Oxygen

EA = - 141 kJ
E is
O- ion [He]    
Exothermic
because O has an + electron

affinity for an e-.

O atom [He]    
 67

Electron Affinity of Nitrogen

EA = 0 kJ

N- ion [He]    
E is zero for N
due to electron- + electron
electron
repulsions. N atom [He]    
 68
Trends in Electron Affinity

• See Figure 2.12

• Affinity for electron increases
across a period (EA becomes
more negative).
• Affinity decreases down a group
(EA becomes less negative).
Figure 2.12 69