Structure 1.

3
Electron configurations

Structure 1.3.3
The main energy level is given an integer number, n, and can
hold a maximum of 2n2 electrons.
 The arrangement of electrons in
atoms
According to the Bohr model of the atom the electrons in an atom are arranged in energy
levels (shells) around the nucleus.

For example, the electron arrangement of potassium can be

represented as shown in the Figure and is written as 2,8,8,1

The lowest energy level, called the first energy level or first shell, is
the one closest to the nucleus.

The shells increase in energy as they get further from the nucleus.
 The arrangement of electrons in
atoms
The principal energy levels are assigned numbers (n), with n = 1
being closest to the nucleus and of lowest energy. The further the
energy level is from the nucleus, the higher its number (n) and
the higher its energy

The maximum number of electrons in each main energy level

 The arrangement of electrons in
atoms
The main energy levels are split into sub-levels, which are assigned a number and the letter s, p, d or f.

The number of sub-shells is equal to the shell number. Hence, the first shell is composed of one sub-
shell, the second shell is composed of two sub-shells, and so on.
 The arrangement of electrons in
atoms
Each sub-shell contains a number of orbitals in which the electrons are placed.

An atomic orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, according to the Pauli exclusion principle.
 Pauli exclusion principle
An atomic orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, according to the Pauli exclusion principle.

Simply put, two electrons can only occupy the

same atomic orbital if they have opposite spins.
The opposite spins of the electrons are shown by
arrows, one pointing up and the other down.

The Pauli exclusion principle states that two electrons cannot have the same quantum number.
 The arrangement of electrons in
atoms
Shell: The electron shell is known as an energy level present on the outside part of an atom
around the atomic nucleus.

Sub-Shells: Inside the shell we have subshells. These Sub-Shells of an atom are
subdivisions of electron shells (energy levels) represented by s, p, d, f. These are then
further separated by electron orbitals.

Orbitals: Orbitals are those regions in space where there is the highest amount of
probability to find an electron (negatively charged).
 Main energy level Sub-level
Or Or Orbitals
Shell Sub-Shell
Potential energy
 Structure 1.3
Electron configurations

Structure 1.3.4
A more detailed model of the atom describes the division of the
main energy level into s, p, d and f sublevels of successively
higher energies.
 The arrangement of electrons in
atoms
Each sub-shell contains a number of orbitals in which the electrons are placed.

An atomic orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, according to the Pauli exclusion principle.

The p sub-level contains three p orbitals that are orientated at

right angles to one another. These are given the notation p x,

py and pz.
The shapes of s and p atomic orbitals
 Structure 1.3
Electron configurations

Structure 1.3.5
 Each orbital has a defined energy state for a given electron
configuration and chemical environment, and can hold two electrons of
opposite spin.
 Sublevels contain a fixed number of orbitals, regions of space where
there is a high probability of finding an electron.
 The Aufbau principle

The overall picture of the atom so far is of main energy levels

(n = 1, 2, 3 etc) which are split into sub-levels.
Electrons fill these sub-levels according to the Aufbau
principle.

According to the Aufbau principle, electrons

fill atomic orbitals of lowest energy first.
Important points

The atomic orbitals within a sub-level are of equal energy (known

as degenerate orbitals). This includes the three p orbitals in the 2p, 3p and 4p sub-
levels and the five d orbitals in the 3d sub-level.

There is an overlap between the 3d and 4s sub-levels. This means that the 4s sub-level
is of lower energy and fills before the 3d sub-level.
Electron configurations
Electron configurations show how the electrons are arranged in an atom.

• The electron configuration gives information about the number of electrons in each
shell, subshell and orbital of an atom.

You need to be able to write electron configurations for the elements with atomic numbers 1 to 36.
Electron configurations
Electron configurations
 Condensed electron configurations
Condensed electron configurations are a shorthand version of writing the
electron configurations for atoms or ions.
Instead of writing the full electron
configuration, we can use the notation The electron configuration of bromine (Z = 35) is:
[Noble gas] to represent part of it.
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p5
Always read the question carefully to see
if you are asked to write the full electron
configuration or the condensed electron The condensed electron configuration of bromine is:
configuration for an atom or ion.
[Ar] 4s2 3d10 4p5
 Exceptions to the Aufbau principle
There are two important exceptions to the Aufbau principle that students need to learn.
They are for chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu).

The correct electron configurations are:

Chromium: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d5

Copper: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d10

The reasons for these exceptions are beyond the level of the SL (and HL) course.
 Electron configurations of ions

A positive ion (cation) is formed when an atom loses (an) electron(s)

A negative ion (anion) is formed when an atom gains (an) electron(s)

The electron configuration of the calcium atom (Z = 20) is:

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

The electron configuration for the Ca2+ ion is:

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6
 Electron configurations of ions

State the electron configuration of the ions:

• V2+
• Ti2+
• Ti4+

The transition metals lose s electrons before d electrons

 Orbital diagrams (electrons in boxes)

Orbital diagrams or electron in box diagrams are used to represent

electrons in atomic orbitals.
Note that the arrows point in opposite directions to represent the opposite spins of the electrons.
 Orbital diagrams (electrons in boxes)

According to Hund's rule, electrons fill orbitals in the same sub-

level singly, before pairing up.
Electronic confiiguration and the periodic table

The electrons in the outer energy level are mainly responsible for compound
formation and are called valence electrons.

We are now in a position to understand the structure of the Periodic Table

Electronic confiiguration and the periodic table
 elements whose valence electrons occupy an s
sub-level make up the s block.
 elements with valence electrons in p orbitals
make up the p block.
 the d block and the f block are similarly made up
of elements with outer electrons in d and f
orbitals.

Iodine is in Group 17 and in Period 5 and has the configuration: [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p5 .
 Activity
 In this activity, you will practise writing electron configurations for atoms. Write full
and condensed electron configurations for the following atoms.
He / Li / B / C / P / Cl / Ge / Cu / Ar / Cr

 Draw orbital diagrams for the following atoms.

1- Carbon
2- Nitrogen
3- Oxygen
 Groups and periods
The elements in the periodic table are also organised into vertical columns called groups and
horizontal rows called periods.
The period number gives the number of occupied main energy levels in the atom.

Atoms of elements in period 2 such as lithium, boron and fluorine have two occupied main energy
levels, n = 1 and n = 2.

The group number of an element can be used to deduce the number of valence electrons in an atom
of that element.

Group 1 elements all have one electron in their valence shells. Group 2 elements have two electrons
in the valence shells; group 13 elements have three electrons in their valence shells.
Deducing Electron Configurations

The electron configuration of any element can be deduced from its

position in the periodic table

It is like an 'address' that tells you exactly where an element is found
Deducing Electron Configurations
Using the element germanium as an example

The outer electrons are known as the valence electrons.

Deducing Electron Configurations
Similarly, you can deduce the position of an element in the periodic table from its
electron configuration: