First 20 elements electronic configuration and valency

What is the valency of first 20 elements. First 20 elements with atomic number and electronic configuration and valency. First 20 elements with atomic mass and valency and electronic configuration. What is
electronic configuration of first 20 elements. First 20 elements along with their electronic configuration symbols and valency. Electronic configuration of first 20 elements and their valency.

Science Photo Library/MEHAU KULYK/ Getty Images You may assume that the valences of the elements—the number of electrons with which an atom will bond or form—are those that can be derived by looking at the groups (columns) of the periodic table. While these are the most common valences, the real behavior of electrons is less simple. Here
is a table of element valences. Remember that an element's electron cloud will become more stable by filling, emptying, or half-filling the shell. Also, shells don't stack neatly one on top of another, so don't always assume an element's valence is determined by the number of electrons in its outer shell. Number Element Valence 1 Hydrogen (-1), +1 2
Helium 0 3 Lithium +1 4 Beryllium +2 5 Boron -3, +3 6 Carbon (+2), +4 7 Nitrogen -3, -2, -1, (+1), +2, +3, +4, +5 8 Oxygen -2 9 Fluorine -1, (+1) 10 Neon 0 11 Sodium +1 12 Magnesium +2 13 Aluminum +3 14 Silicon -4, (+2), +4 15 Phosphorus -3, +1, +3, +5 16 Sulfur -2, +2, +4, +6 17 Chlorine -1, +1, (+2), +3, (+4), +5, +7 18 Argon 0 19
Potassium +1 20 Calcium +2 21 Scandium +3 22 Titanium +2, +3, +4 23 Vanadium +2, +3, +4, +5 24 Chromium +2, +3, +6 25 Manganese +2, (+3), +4, (+6), +7 26 Iron +2, +3, (+4), (+6) 27 Cobalt +2, +3, (+4) 28 Nickel (+1), +2, (+3), (+4) 29 Copper +1, +2, (+3) 30 Zinc +2 31 Gallium (+2). +3 32 Germanium -4, +2, +4 33 Arsenic -3, (+2),
+3, +5 34 Selenium -2, (+2), +4, +6 35 Bromine -1, +1, (+3), (+4), +5 36 Krypton 0 37 Rubidium +1 38 Strontium +2 39 Yttrium +3 40 Zirconium (+2), (+3), +4 41 Niobium (+2), +3, (+4), +5 42 Molybdenum (+2), +3, (+4), (+5), +6 43 Technetium +6 44 Ruthenium (+2), +3, +4, (+6), (+7), +8 45 Rhodium (+2), (+3), +4, (+6) 46 Palladium +2,
+4, (+6) 47 Silver +1, (+2), (+3) 48 Cadmium (+1), +2 49 Indium (+1), (+2), +3 50 Tin +2, +4 51 Antimony -3, +3, (+4), +5 52 Tellurium -2, (+2), +4, +6 53 Iodine -1, +1, (+3), (+4), +5, +7 54 Xenon 0 55 Cesium +1 56 Barium +2 57 Lanthanum +3 58 Cerium +3, +4 59 Praseodymium +3 60 Neodymium +3, +4 61 Promethium +3 62 Samarium
(+2), +3 63 Europium (+2), +3 64 Gadolinium +3 65 Terbium +3, +4 66 Dysprosium +3 67 Holmium +3 68 Erbium +3 69 Thulium (+2), +3 70 Ytterbium (+2), +3 71 Lutetium +3 72 Hafnium +4 73 Tantalum (+3), (+4), +5 74 Tungsten (+2), (+3), (+4), (+5), +6 75 Rhenium (-1), (+1), +2, (+3), +4, (+5), +6, +7 76 Osmium (+2), +3, +4, +6, +8 77
Iridium (+1), (+2), +3, +4, +6 78 Platinum (+1), +2, (+3), +4, +6 79 Gold +1, (+2), +3 80 Mercury +1, +2 81 Thallium +1, (+2), +3 82 Lead +2, +4 83 Bismuth (-3), (+2), +3, (+4), (+5) 84 Polonium (-2), +2, +4, (+6) 85 Astatine ? 86 Radon 0 87 Francium ? 88 Radium +2 89 Actinium +3 90 Thorium +4 91 Protactinium +5 92 Uranium (+2), +3, +4,
(+5), +6 Brown, I. David.

"The Chemical Bond in Inorganic Chemistry: The Bond Valence Model," 2nd ed. International Union of Crystallography. Oxford: Oxford Science Publications, 2016.Lange, Norbert A. "Lange's Handbook of Chemistry," 8th ed. Handbook Publishers, 1952.O'Dwyer, M.F., J.E. Kent, and R. D. Brown. "Valency." New York: Springer-Verlag, 1978.Smart,
Lesley E.
and Elaine A. Moore. "Solid State Chemistry An Introduction," 4th edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2016. Written By Pavithra VG Last Modified 24-01-2023 Electronic Configuration: The distribution of electrons in an element’s atomic orbitals is described by its electron configuration. Atomic electron configurations follow a standard nomenclature in
which all electron-containing atomic subshells are arranged in a sequence (with the number of electrons they possess indicated in superscript). The three major subatomic particles present in an atom are protons, neutrons, and electrons. What are the electrons’ positions in the atom? What is the method of distribution? Do you know what the Bohr-
Bury scheme is? What is an element’s capability for combining? Let’s look at the interesting facts covered in this article to find out the answers to these and other questions. Read further to find more. Definition: The systematic distribution of electrons in the various atomic orbitals is called its electronic configuration. In the electronic configuration,
electrons are distributed in various energy levels (various shells) of an atom, such as K shell, L shell, M shell, N shell, etc. Atoms consist of \(3\) subatomic particles, namely positively charged protons, neutral neutrons, and negatively charged electrons. The protons and neutrons are located at the centre of the atom. The electrons revolve rapidly
around the nucleus in fixed circular paths called energy levels or shells. The energy levels or shells are represented in \(2\) ways: either by the numbers \(1, 2, 3, 4, 5,\) and \(6\) or by the letters K, L, M, N, O or P. The energy levels are counted from the centre to outwards.
Each energy level or shell is associated with a fixed amount of energy. The shell nearest to the nucleus has minimum energy and the cell farthest from the nucleus has the maximum energy.

In a neutral atom, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons in it. Therefore, an atomic number of an element is equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom of that element. Atomic number of an element \(\left( {\rm{Z}} \right)\) Number of electrons in one neutral atom. For example, one neutral atom of sodium contains (11)
electrons, so the atomic number of sodium is (11.)The atomic number is not equal to the number of electrons in an ion because only a neutral atom contains an equal number of protons and electrons. Since the ion is formed by the removal of electrons from a normal atom or by the addition of electrons to a normal atom. A positively charged ion
formed by the removal of the electrons is called cation whereas a negatively charged ion formed by the gain of electrons is called an anion.The atomic number and mass number can be indicated on the symbol of an element. The atomic number is written on the lower side of the symbol, whereas the mass number is written on the upper side of the
symbol of the element. Example: Representation of carbon \({}_6^{12}{\rm{C}}\) The total number of protons and neutrons present in one atom of an element is known as its mass number. That is, Mass number \(\left( {\rm{A}} \right){\rm{ = }}\) Number of protons + Number of neutrons. Learn About Alkali Metals Electron shell Value of n
Maximum capacity of electron \(\left( {{\rm{2}}{{\rm{n}}^{\rm{2}}}} \right)\)K shell\(1\)\(1\) electronsL shell\(2\)\(8\) electronsM shell\(3\)\(18\) electronsN shell\(4\)\(32\) electrons 2. The outermost shell of an atom cannot accommo date more than \(8\) electrons, even if it has the capacity to accommodate more electrons. It is because “having \
(8\) electrons in the outermost shell” makes the atoms very stable. But helium is an exception as it has only \(2\) electrons in the outermost shell. For example, if the \({\rm{M}}\) shell is the outermost shell of an atom, it can hold a maximum of \(8\) electrons only; but its maximum capacity is \(18\) electrons. These electrons in an atom do not occupy
a new shell unless all the inner shells are completely filled with electrons. This means that the electron shells in an Atom are filled in a stepwise manner. Atomic structure of an element shows the structure of the atom comprising the nucleus and the arrangement of electrons around the nucleus. Magnesium has \(12\) protons and \((24 – 12) = 12\)
neutrons. The number of protons is equal to the number of electrons, i.e., \(12.\) Thus, the electronic configuration of magnesium is: The distribution of electrons in different shells on an atom is represented as follows, The structure of the magnesium atom The outermost shell of an atom is called its valence shell, and the electrons present in the
valence shell are known as valence electrons. Example: The electronic configuration of carbon \((6)\) is \(2, 4.\) In carbon, there are \(4\) electrons in the L shell; therefore, valence electrons in the carbon are \(4.\) Valency of an element is the combining capacity of that element with other elements and is equal to the number of electrons taking part in
a chemical reaction. The valency of elements having \(1, 2,\) or \(3\) valence electrons is \(1, 2,\) or \(3\) respectively, while the valency of elements with \(4, 5, 6,\) and \(7\) valence electrons is \(4, 3, 2,\) and \(1\) (\(8\) minus valence electrons) respectively. The valency of an element with \(8\) valence electrons is zero, it is stable as its valence shell is
completely filled.
Study About Group 14 Elements Valence electrons indicate the group number of elements in the modern periodic table, and shell number indicates the period number. Example 1: Electronic configuration of magnesium, Mg \((12)=2, 8, 2.\)There are \(2\) electrons in the valence shell; hence the group number is \(2,\) and the valence electrons in the
M-shell \(\left( {{\rm{n = 3}}} \right).\) Therefore, it is placed in the \({\rm{3rd}}\) period. Note: If the valence electron is more than \(2,\) then add \(10\) to the valence electron to find the group number.
Example 2: Electronic configuration of phosphorus,\({\rm{N}}\left( {\rm{7}} \right){\rm{ – 2,5}}{\rm{.}}\)There are \(5\) electrons in the valence shell; hence the group number is \(15,\) and the valence electrons in the L-shell \(\left( {{\rm{n = 2}}} \right).\) Therefore, it is placed in the \({\rm{2nd}}\) period. The electronic configuration of
different atoms can be represented as \({{\rm{s}}^{\rm{a}}}{\rm{,}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{b}}}{\rm{,}}{{\rm{d}}^{\rm{c}}}{\rm{,}}{{\rm{f}}^{\rm{d}}}\) In the ground state of an atom, the electrons are added progressively to the various orbitals in the increasing order of energies starting from the orbital of lowest energy (This rule is called
the Aufbau principle). The increasing order of energies of various orbitals is: \({\rm{1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, \ldots }}\) The maximum number of the electron that can accommodate in s, p, d and f orbital is as follows: OrbitalMaximum number of electronss\(2\)p\(6\)d\(10\)f\(14\) Example 1: The electronic configuration
of sodium:Atomic number of sodium is \(11.\) It contains \(11\) electrons.The electronic configuration of sodium, \({\rm{N}}\left( {11} \right){\rm{ – 1}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{1}}}\) Example 2: The electronic configuration of calcium.Atomic number
of calcium is \(20.\) It contains \(20\) electrons.The electronic configuration of calcium, \({\rm{Ca}}\left( {{\rm{20}}} \right){\rm{ = 1}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;4}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}\) Example 3:
The electronic configuration of chromium.Atomic number of chromium is \(24.\) It contains \(24\) electrons. The expected electronic configuration of chromium,\({\rm{Cr}}\left( {{\rm{24}}} \right){\rm{ – 1}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}
{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;4}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{d}}^{\rm{4}}}\) The actual electronic configuration of chromium, \({\rm{Cr}}\left( {{\rm{24}}} \right){\rm{ – 1}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}
{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;4}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{1}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{d}}^{\rm{5}}}\) This is because half-filled and completely filled orbitals have more stability. Therefore, in chromium, one electron from 4s-orbital is shifted to the 3d- orbital. Example 4: The electronic configuration of copper.Atomic number of copper is \(29.\) It contains \
(29\) electrons.The expected electronic configuration of copper, \({\rm{Cu}}\left( {{\rm{29}}} \right){\rm{ – 1}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;4}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{d}}^{\rm{9}}}\)
The actual electronic configuration of copper, \({\rm{Cu}}\left( {{\rm{29}}} \right){\rm{ – 1}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;4}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{1}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{d}}^{{\rm{10}}}}\) This is due to
the extra stability of a completely filled orbital. By assisting in the determination of an atom’s valence electrons, electron configurations give insight into the chemical behaviour of elements. It also helps in the classification of components into separate blocks (such as the s-block elements, the p-block elements, the d-block elements, and the f-block
elements). This makes it easy to investigate the characteristics of the components as a group. The systematic distribution of electrons in the various atomic orbitals is called its electronic configuration. In this article, we learned in detail about Electronic Configuration, shells or energy levels, and atomic structure. The outermost shell of an atom is
called its valence shell, and the electrons present in the valence shell are known as valence electrons. We also learned what is valency with examples and the position of the element and electronic configuration. Here, we have also provided you with an electronic configuration of the first 20 elements for your reference. PRACTICE QUESTIONS
RELATED TO ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION Electronic Configuration – Frequently Asked Questions Q.1. Explain why sodium ion \(\left( {{\rm{N}}{{\rm{a}}^{\rm{ + }}}} \right)\) has completely filled K and L shells? Ans: A sodium ion has \(10\) electrons in it because \({{\rm{N}}{{\rm{a}}^{\rm{ + }}}}\) ion is formed by donating one
electron. Now the maximum capacity of the K shell is \(2\) electrons, and that of the L shell is \(8\) electrons. Taken together, the maximum capacity of K and L shells is \(2+8=10\) electrons. A sodium ion has completely filled K and L shells because its \(10\) electrons can completely fill up the K and L shell. Q.2. How do you find the electronic
configuration? Ans: The electronic configuration is written by using the Bohr-Bury scheme. According to this, the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in any energy level of an atom is given by \({\rm{2}}{{\rm{n}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,}}\) where \(n\) is the number of that energy level. Example: Electronic configuration of
aluminium. \({\rm{Al }}\left( {{\rm{13}}} \right){\rm{ – 2, 8, 3}}{\rm{.}}\) Q.3. What is the electronic configuration of element \(17\)?, Ans: The configuration of element \(17\) is \({\rm{K}}\left( {\rm{2}} \right){\rm{,L}}\left( {\rm{8}} \right){\rm{,M}}\left( {\rm{7}} \right){\rm{.}}\) The element is chlorine.
Q.4. What is the so-called electronic configuration? Ans: The systematic distribution of electrons in various energy levels of an atom of an element is called its electronic configuration. Q.5. What is the electronic configuration of element \(14\)? Ans: The configuration of element \(14\) is \({\rm{K(2), L(8), M(4)}}{\rm{.}}\) The element is silicon. The
electronic configuration is also written as \({\rm{1}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{.}}\) Q.6. What is the electronic configuration of element \(27\)? Ans: The configuration of element \(27\) is \({\rm{1}}
{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;4}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{d}}^{\rm{7}}}.\) The element is cobalt. Q.7. Why are electronic configurations important? Ans: The electronic configuration gives
details about the chemical properties of elements. Elements with the same number of valence electrons have the same chemical properties. Based on this these elements are placed in the same group in the modern periodic table. Q.8. Write the electronic configuration of copper?Ans: Electronic configuration of chromium, \({\rm{Cu}}\left(
{{\rm{29}}} \right){\rm{ – 1}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;4}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{1}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{d}}^{{\rm{10}}}}.\) This is due to the extra stability of a completely filled orbital.

Therefore, one electron from 4s-orbital is shifted to the 3d-orbital. Q.9. How do you set up electronic configuration? Ans: In the ground state of an atom, the electrons are added progressively to the various orbitals in the increasing order of energies starting from the orbital of lowest energy (This rule is called the Aufbau principle). The increasing
order of energies of various orbitals is:\({\rm{1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, \ldots }}\)Example: Electronic configuration of sulphur, \({\rm{S}}\left( {{\rm{16}}} \right){\rm{:1}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;2}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{6}}}{\rm{,\;3}}{{\rm{s}}^{\rm{2}}}{\rm{,\;3}}
{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{4}}}\) Now that you are provided with all the necessary information on the Electronic Configuration and we hope this article on the Electronic Configuration has helped you. If you have any questions feel free to post your comment below. We will get back to you at the earliest. By the end of this section, you will be able to: Derive
the predicted ground-state electron configurations of atoms Identify and explain exceptions to predicted electron configurations for atoms and ions Relate electron configurations to element classifications in the periodic table Having introduced the basics of atomic structure and quantum mechanics, we can use our understanding of quantum numbers
to determine how atomic orbitals relate to one another. This allows us to determine which orbitals are occupied by electrons in each atom. The specific arrangement of electrons in orbitals of an atom determines many of the chemical properties of that atom. The energy of atomic orbitals increases as the principal quantum number, n, increases. In any
atom with two or more electrons, the repulsion between the electrons makes energies of subshells with different values of l differ so that the energy of the orbitals increases within a shell in the order s < p < d < f. Figure 10.5a depicts how these two trends in increasing energy relate. The 1s orbital at the bottom of the diagram is the orbital with
electrons of lowest energy. The energy increases as we move up to the 2s and then 2p, 3s, and 3p orbitals, showing that the increasing n value has more influence on energy than the increasing l value for small atoms. However, this pattern does not hold for larger atoms with more electrons The 3d orbital is higher in energy than the 4s orbital. Such
overlaps continue to occur frequently as we move up the chart. Figure 10.5a Generalized Energy-Level Diagram: Generalized energy-level diagram for atomic orbitals in an atom with two or more electrons (not to scale) (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0). Electrons in successive atoms on the periodic table tend to fill low-energy orbitals first.
Thus, many students find it confusing that, for example, the 5p orbitals fill immediately after the 4d, and immediately before the 6s. The filling order is based on observed experimental results, and has been confirmed by theoretical calculations. As the principal quantum number, n, increases, the size of the orbital increases and the electrons spend
more time farther from the nucleus. Thus, the attraction to the nucleus is weaker and the energy associated with the orbital is higher (less stabilized), consistent with Coulomb’s Law. But this is not the only effect we have to take into account. Within each shell, as the value of l increases, the electrons are less penetrating (meaning there is less
electron density found close to the nucleus), in the order s > p > d > f. Electrons that are closer to the nucleus slightly repel electrons that are farther out, offsetting the more dominant electron–nucleus attractions slightly (recall that all electrons have −1 charges, but nuclei have +Z charges). This phenomenon is called shielding. Electrons in orbitals
that experience more shielding are less stabilized and thus higher in energy. For small orbitals (1s through 3p), the increase in energy due to n is more significant than the increase due to l; however, for larger orbitals the two trends are comparable and cannot be simply predicted. We will discuss methods for remembering the observed order. The
arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom is commonly represented using two methods: and of an atom.
Both methods will be introduced in this section. It is important to apply the electron capacity rules for each type of subshell (l): electron capacity for subshell s is 2 electron capacity for subshell p is 6 electron capacity for subshell d is 10 electron capacity for subshell f is 14 We write an electron configuration with a symbol that contains three pieces of
information (Figure 10.5b): The number of the principal energy level (shell), n, The letter that designates the orbital type (the subshell, l), and A superscript number that designates the number of electrons in that particular subshell. For example, the notation 2p4 (read “two–p–four”) indicates four electrons in a p subshell (l = 1) with a principal
quantum number (n) of 2. The notation 3d8 (read “three–d–eight”) indicates eight electrons in the d subshell (i.e., l = 2) of the principal shell for which n = 3. Figure 10.5b The diagram of an Electron Configuration for Hydrogen: The diagram of an electron configuration specifies the subshell (n and l value, with letter symbol) and superscript number
of electrons (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0). To determine the electron configuration (electron filling order) for any particular atom, we can “build” the structures in the order of atomic numbers. Beginning with hydrogen, and continuing across the periods of the periodic table, we add one proton at a time to the nucleus and one electron to
the proper subshell until we have described the electron configurations of all the elements. This procedure is called the , from the German word Aufbau (“to build up”). Each added electron occupies the subshell of lowest energy available (in the order shown in Figure 10.5a), subject to the limitations imposed by the allowed quantum numbers
according to the Pauli exclusion principle. Electrons enter higher-energy subshells only after lower-energy subshells have been filled to capacity. Figure 10.5c illustrates the traditional way to remember the filling order for atomic orbitals. It is a helpful schematic to use when writing electron configurations or drawing orbital diagrams. Figure 10.5c
Using the Aufbau Principle to Determine Appropriate Filling Order for Electron Configurations: The arrow leads through each subshell in the appropriate filling order for electron configurations. This chart is straightforward to construct. Simply make a column for all the s orbitals with each n shell on a separate row.
Repeat for p, d, and f. Be sure to only include orbitals allowed by the quantum numbers (no 1p or 2d, and so forth). Finally, draw diagonal lines from top to bottom as shown (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0).

For an introduction on how to use the Orbital Filling Diagram and Aufbau’s principle to write electron configurations watch Using the Electron Configuration Chart (3min 32s) Video Source: Breslyn, W. (2013, November 12). Using the electron configuration chart [Video]. YouTube. Electron Configuration Arrangement using the Periodic Table Since
the arrangement of the periodic table is based on the electron configurations, the periodic table can be converted to an electron configuration table to map out electron filling order. Figure 10.5d illustrates this method for determining the electron configuration. The filling order simply begins at hydrogen and includes each subshell as you proceed in
increasing Z order. For example, after filling the 3p block up to Argon (Ar), we see the next orbital to be filled with electrons will be 4s (for potassium (K) and calcium (Ca)), followed by the 3d orbitals. Figure 10.5d Using the Periodic Table to Predict Electron Configuration for each Subshell: This periodic table shows the electron configuration for
each subshell. By “building up” from hydrogen, this table can be used to determine the electron configuration for any atom on the periodic table. Review the Periodic Table of the Elements in other formats in Appendix A (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0). When filling electrons to create electron configurations and orbital diagrams, remember
the number of electrons increases by one as the atomic number increases by one. For an introduction on how to use the periodic table to write electron configurations, watch Writing Electron Configurations Using Only the Periodic Table (4min 51s). Video Source: Breslyn, W. (2013, November 13). Writing electron configurations using only the
periodic table [Video]. YouTube. Writing Electron Configuration and Orbital Diagrams of Elements We will now construct the ground-state electron configuration and orbital diagram for a selection of atoms in the first and second periods of the periodic table. You can use the orbital filling diagram or your periodic table as tools to determine correct
filling order. Orbital diagrams are pictorial representations of the electron configuration, showing the individual orbitals and the pairing arrangement of electrons. Boxes are drawn to represent each orbital (which can only contain zero, one, or two electrons). The orbitals’ n value and l value are written under the box. Small arrows are used to indicate
electrons. If two electrons share the same orbital, the first is drawn pointing in the up direction and the other in the down direction; this illustrates that the two electrons have opposite spins. When reading orbital diagrams, you may notice two different version of arrows drawn: A full arrow head or “half” arrow head. Either is appropriate to use when
drawing orbital diagrams, as both represent an electron. In this textbook, orbital diagrams will use both options interchangeably in examples, exercises, and answers. We start with a single hydrogen atom (atomic number 1), which consists of one proton and one electron. Referring to Figure 10.5c or Figure 10.5d, we would expect to find the electron
in the 1s orbital. By convention, the [latex]m_s = + \frac{1}{2}[/latex] value is usually filled first. The symbol for hydrogen, its electron configuration, and its orbital diagram, respectively, are: Figure 10.5e Electron configuration and orbital diagram for hydrogen (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0). Following hydrogen is the noble gas helium,
which has an atomic number of 2. The helium atom contains two protons and two electrons. The first electron has the same four quantum numbers as the hydrogen atom electron (n = 1, l = 0, ml = 0, [latex]m_s = + \frac{1}{2}[/latex]). The second electron also goes into the 1s orbital and fills that orbital. The second electron has the same n, l, and ml
quantum numbers, but must have the opposite spin quantum number, [latex]m_s = - \frac{1}{2}[/latex]. This is in accordance with the Pauli exclusion principle: No two electrons in the same atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers. For orbital diagrams, this means two arrows go in each box (representing two electrons in each orbital)
and the arrows must point in opposite directions (representing paired spins). The electron configuration and orbital diagram of helium are: Figure 10.5f Electron configuration and orbital diagram for helium (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0). The n = 1 shell is completely filled in a helium atom. The next atom is the alkali metal lithium, with
an atomic number of 3, which means it has three electrons to fill. The first two electrons in lithium fill the 1s orbital and have the same sets of four quantum numbers as the two electrons in helium. The remaining electron must occupy the orbital of next lowest energy, the 2s orbital (Figure 10.5c or Figure 10.5d). Thus, the electron configuration and
orbital diagram of lithium are: Figure 10.5g Electron configuration and orbital diagram for lithium (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0).
An atom of the alkaline earth metal beryllium, with an atomic number of 4, contains four protons in the nucleus and four electrons surrounding the nucleus. The fourth electron fills the remaining space in the 2s orbital. Figure 10.5h Electron configuration and orbital diagram for beryllium (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0).
An atom of boron (atomic number 5) contains five electrons.

The n = 1 shell is filled with two electrons and three electrons will occupy the n = 2 shell. Because any s subshell can contain only two electrons, the fifth electron must occupy the next energy level, which will be a 2p orbital. There are three degenerate 2p orbitals (ml = −1, 0, +1) and the electron can occupy any one of these p orbitals. When
drawing orbital diagrams, we include empty boxes to depict any empty orbitals in the same subshell that we are filling. Figure 10.5i Electron configuration and orbital diagram for boron (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0). Carbon (atomic number 6) has six electrons. Four of them fill the 1s and 2s orbitals. The remaining two electrons occupy
the 2p subshell. We now have a choice of filling one of the 2p orbitals and pairing the electrons or of leaving the electrons unpaired in two different, but degenerate, p orbitals. The orbitals are filled as described by : the lowest-energy configuration for an atom with electrons within a set of degenerate orbitals is that having the maximum number of
unpaired electrons. Thus, the two electrons in the carbon 2p orbitals have identical n, l, and ms quantum numbers and differ in their ml quantum number (in accord with the Pauli exclusion principle). The electron configuration and orbital diagram for carbon are: Figure 10.5j Electron configuration and orbital diagram for carbon (credit: Chemistry
(OpenStax), CC BY 4.0). Nitrogen (atomic number 7) fills the 1s and 2s subshells and has one electron in each of the three 2p orbitals, in accordance with Hund’s rule (electrons fill each orbital first, then double up). These three electrons have unpaired spins. Oxygen (atomic number 8) has a pair of electrons in any one of the 2p orbitals (the electrons
have opposite spins) and a single electron in each of the other two. Fluorine (atomic number 9) has only one 2p orbital containing an unpaired electron.
All of the electrons in the noble gas neon (atomic number 10) are paired, and all of the orbitals in the n = 1 and the n = 2 shells are filled. The electron configurations and orbital diagrams of these four elements are: Figure 10.5k Electron configuration and orbital diagram for nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, and neon (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY
4.0). The alkali metal sodium (atomic number 11) has one more electron than the neon atom. This electron must go into the next lowest-energy subshell available, the 3s orbital, giving a 1s22s22p63s1 configuration. The electrons occupying the outermost shell orbital(s) (highest value of n) are called , and those occupying the inner shell orbitals are
called (Figure 10.5e). Since the core electron shells correspond to noble gas electron configurations, we can abbreviate and shorten electron configurations by writing the noble gas that matches the core electron configuration, along with the valence electrons in a condensed format. This is often referred to as the noble gas electron configuration of a
given element. For our sodium example, the symbol [Ne] represents core electrons, (1s22s22p6) and our abbreviated or condensed configuration is [Ne]3s1. Figure 10.5l Identifying Core Electrons and Valence Electrons in Electron Configurations: A core-abbreviated electron configuration (right) replaces the core electrons with the noble gas symbol
whose configuration matches the core electron configuration of the other element. The abbreviated notation represents the elements noble gas electron configuration (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY 4.0). Similarly, the abbreviated configuration of lithium can be represented as [He]2s1, where [He] represents the configuration of the helium
atom, which is identical to that of the filled inner shell of lithium. Writing the configurations in this way emphasizes the similarity of the configurations of lithium and sodium. Both atoms, which are in the alkali metal family, have only one electron in a valence s subshell outside a filled set of inner shells. [latex]\begin{array}{l} \text{Li}: [\text{He}]
\;2s^1 \\ \text{Na}: [\text{Ne}] \;3s^1 \end{array}[/latex] The alkaline earth metal magnesium (atomic number 12), with its 12 electrons in a [Ne]3s2 configuration, is analogous to its family member beryllium, [He]2s2. Both atoms have a filled s subshell outside their filled inner shells. Aluminum (atomic number 13), with 13 electrons and the
electron configuration [Ne]3s23p1, is analogous to its family member boron, [He]2s22p1. The electron configurations of silicon (14 electrons), phosphorus (15 electrons), sulfur (16 electrons), chlorine (17 electrons), and argon (18 electrons) are analogous in the electron configurations of their outer shells to their corresponding family members
carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, and neon, respectively, except that the principal quantum number of the outer shell of the heavier elements has increased by one to n = 3. Figure 10.5m shows the lowest energy, or ground-state, electron configuration for these elements as well as that for atoms of each of the known elements. Figure 10.5m The
Periodic Table showing the Outer-Shell Electron Configuration of each Element: This version of the periodic table shows the outer-shell electron configuration of each element. Note that down each group, the configuration is often similar. Review the Periodic Table of the Elements in other formats in Appendix A (credit: Chemistry (OpenStax), CC BY
4.0). When we come to the next element in the periodic table we move down to period 4, group 1, the alkali metal potassium (atomic number 19).
We might expect that we would begin to add electrons to the 3d subshell. However, all available chemical and physical evidence indicates that potassium is like lithium and sodium, and that the next electron is not added to the 3d level but is, instead, added to the 4s level since it is the next lowest energy level (Figure 10.5m). As discussed previously,
the 3d orbital with no radial nodes is higher in energy because it is less penetrating and more shielded from the nucleus than the 4s, which has three radial nodes. Thus, potassium has an electron configuration of [Ar]4s1. Hence, potassium corresponds to its group 1 members, Li and Na in its valence shell configuration. The next element to consider
is calcium. One electron is added to complete the 4s subshell and calcium has a complete electron configuration of 1s22s23p64s2 and noble gas electron configuration of [Ar]4s2 This gives calcium an outer-shell electron configuration corresponding to other elements in group 2 including beryllium and magnesium. Beginning with the transition metal
scandium (atomic number 21), additional electrons are added successively to the 3d subshell. This subshell is filled to its capacity with 10 electrons (remember that for l = 2 [d orbitals], there are 2l + 1 = 5 values of ml, meaning that there are five d orbitals that have a combined capacity of 10 electrons). The 4p subshell fills next. Note that for three
series of elements, scandium (Sc) through copper (Cu), yttrium (Y) through silver (Ag), and lutetium (Lu) through gold (Au), a total of 10 d electrons are successively added to the (n – 1) shell next to the n shell to bring that (n – 1) shell from 8 to 18 electrons. For two series, lanthanum (La) through lutetium (Lu) and actinium (Ac) through lawrencium
(Lr), 14 f electrons (l = 3, 2l + 1 = 7 ml values; thus, seven orbitals with a combined capacity of 14 electrons) are successively added to the (n – 2) shell to bring that shell from 18 electrons to a total of 32 electrons. For a summary on electron configurations and orbital filling diagrams watch Electron Configuration (10min 16s). Video Source:
Bozemann Science. (2013, August 4). Electron configuration [Video]. YouTube. What is the electron configuration and orbital diagram for a phosphorus atom? What are the four quantum numbers for the last electron added? Solution The atomic number of phosphorus is 15. Thus, a phosphorus atom contains 15 electrons. The order of filling of the
energy levels is 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, . . . The 15 electrons of the phosphorus atom will fill up to the 3p orbital, which will contain three electrons: The last electron added is a 3p electron. Therefore, n = 3 and, for a p-type orbital, l = 1. The ml value could be –1, 0, or +1. The three p orbitals are degenerate, so any of these ml values is correct. For
unpaired electrons, convention assigns the value of [latex]+\frac{1}{2}[/latex] for the spin quantum number; thus, [latex]m_s = +\frac{1}{2}[/latex]. Identify the atoms from the electron configurations given: [Ar]4s23d5 [Kr]5s24d105p6 1s22s22p3 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d104p5 Check Your Answer Exceptions to Orbital Electron Filling Order As
mentioned previously in this section, the periodic table can be a powerful tool in predicting the electron configuration of an element. However, we do find exceptions to the order of filling of orbitals that are shown in Figure 10.5c or Figure 10.5d. For instance, the electron configurations (shown in Figure 10.5f) of the transition metals chromium (Cr;
atomic number 24) and copper (Cu; atomic number 29), among others, are not those we would expect. In general, such exceptions involve subshells with very similar energy, and small effects can lead to changes in the order of filling. In the case of Cr and Cu, we find that half-filled and completely filled subshells apparently represent conditions of
preferred stability.
This stability is such that an electron shifts from the 4s into the 3d orbital to gain the extra stability of a half-filled 3d subshell (in Cr) or a filled 3d subshell (in Cu). Other exceptions also occur. For example, niobium (Nb, atomic number 41) is predicted to have the electron configuration [Kr]5s24d3. Experimentally, we observe that its ground-state
electron configuration is actually [Kr]5s14d4. We can rationalize this observation by saying that the electron–electron repulsions experienced by pairing the electrons in the 5s orbital are larger than the gap in energy between the 5s and 4d orbitals. There is no simple method to predict the exceptions for atoms where the magnitude of the repulsions
between electrons is greater than the small differences in energy between subshells. As described earlier, the periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically.
When their electron configurations are added to the table (Figure 10.5f), we also see a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the
electrons in an atom and are more easily lost or shared than the core electrons.
Valence electrons are also the determining factor in some physical properties of the elements.
Elements in any one group (or column) have the same number of valence electrons; the alkali metals lithium and sodium each have only one valence electron, the alkaline earth metals beryllium and magnesium each have two, and the halogens fluorine and chlorine each have seven valence electrons.
The similarity in chemical properties among elements of the same group occurs because they have the same number of valence electrons. It is the loss, gain, or sharing of valence electrons that defines how elements react. It is important to remember that the periodic table was developed on the basis of the chemical behaviour of the elements, well
before any idea of their atomic structure was available. Now we can understand why the periodic table has the arrangement it has—the arrangement puts elements whose atoms have the same number of valence electrons in the same group. This arrangement is emphasized in Figure 10.5m, which shows in periodic table form the electron
configuration of the last subshell to be filled by the Aufbau principle. The coloured sections of Figure 10.5m show the three categories of elements classified by the orbitals being filled: main group, transition, and inner transition elements. These classifications determine which orbitals are counted in the valence shell, or highest energy level orbitals of
an atom. Main group elements (sometimes called representative elements) are those in which the last electron added enters an s or a p orbital in the outermost shell, shown in blue and red in Figure 10.5m. This category includes all the nonmetallic elements, as well as many metals and the intermediate semi-metallic elements.
The valence electrons for main group elements are those with the highest n level. For example, gallium (Ga, atomic number 31) has the electron configuration [Ar]4s23d104p1, which contains three valence electrons (underlined – 4s2, 4p1). The completely filled d orbitals count as core, not valence, electrons. Transition elements or transition metals.
These are metallic elements in which the last electron added enters a d orbital. The valence electrons (those added after the last noble gas configuration) in these elements include the ns and (n – 1) d electrons. The official IUPAC definition of transition elements specifies those with partially filled d orbitals. Thus, the elements with completely filled
orbitals (Zn, Cd, Hg, as well as Cu, Ag, and Au in Figure 10.5m) are not technically transition elements.
However, the term is frequently used to refer to the entire d block (coloured yellow in Figure 10.5m), and we will adopt this usage in this textbook. Inner transition elements are metallic elements in which the last electron added occupies an f orbital.
They are shown in green in Figure 10.5m. The valence shells of the inner transition elements consist of the (n – 2)f, the (n – 1)d, and the ns subshells. There are two inner transition series: The lanthanide series: lanthanide (La) through lutetium (Lu) The actinide series: actinide (Ac) through lawrencium (Lr) Lanthanum and actinium, because of their
similarities to the other members of the series, are included and used to name the series, even though they are transition metals with no f electrons. We have seen that ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons. A cation (positively charged ion) forms when one or more electrons are removed from a parent (neutral) atom. For main group
elements, the valence electrons that were added last are the first electrons removed. For transition metals and inner transition metals, however, valence electrons in the s orbital are easier to remove than the d or f electrons, and so the highest ns electrons are lost, and then the (n – 1)d or (n – 2)f electrons are removed. An anion (negatively
charged ion) forms when one or more electrons are added to the valence shell of a parent atom. The added electrons fill in the order predicted by the Aufbau principle. Generally speaking: Metals forming simple cations typically lose valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration of their closest noble gas. Non-metals forming simple
anions typically gain electrons to fill their outer valence shell to achieve a stable electron configuration of their closest noble gas. Watch and Participate in this interactive video lesson (5min 11sec) to learn more about writing electron configurations of ions. Check Your Learning Exercise (Text Version) Question 1 (49 sec): For the two statements
provided, fill in the [BLANK] with the correct key terms. Key Terms: gain; 2. lose; 3. cation; 4. Anion Statements: A positive ion is called a(n) [BLANK].
Atoms [BLANK] electrons to form this type of ion. A negative ion is called a(n) [BLANK]. Atoms [BLANK] electrons to form this type of ion. Question 2 (2min 8sec): Which of the following statements about calcium are true? The electron configuration for neutral calcium atom is 1s22s22p63s23p64s2 Calcium forms a Ca2+ cation by losing 2 electrons.
The electron configuration for a calcium 2+ ion is 1s22s22p63s23p6 a calcium 2+ ion has the same electron configuration as its closest noble gas, argon. All these options are correct statements. Questions 3 (2min 54sec) is a statement that reads, “This Lewis dot diagram is introducing concepts in ionic bonding of simple ions and is discussed in more
detail in chemical bonding units” Question 4 (3min 42sec) is a statement that reads, “The electron configuration of Al is incorrectly written in the video. The correct electron configuration of Al is 1s22s22p63s23p1.” Question 5 (4min 7sec) is a statement that reads, “The three valence electrons lost from the aluminum atom were from 3s23p1.” Check
Your Answer Activity Source: “Exercise 10.5b” by Jackie MacDonald is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0, based on video source: Breslyn, W. (2020, October 1). How to write the electron configuration for ions [Video]. YouTube. Write the electron configuration and orbital diagram of the following ions: Solution First, write out the electron configuration
for each parent atom. We have shown full, unabbreviated configurations to provide more practice for students who want it, but listing the core-abbreviated electron configurations is also acceptable. Next, determine whether an electron is gained or lost. Remember electrons are negatively charged, so ions with a positive charge have lost an electron.
For main group elements, the last orbital gains or loses the electron. For transition metals, the last s orbital loses an electron before the d orbitals. (a) O: 1s22s22p4. Oxygen anion gains two electrons in valence shell (2p shell), so O2-: 1s22s22p6.
(b) Na: 1s22s22p63s1. Sodium cation loses one electron from valence shell (3s shell), so Na+: 1s22s22p6. To review a video showing the solution to this question watch Na+ Electron Configuration (Sodium Ion) (2min 17s) Video Source: Breslyn, W. (2019, June 21). Na+ electron configuration (Sodium Ion) [Video]. YouTube. (c) P: 1s22s22p63s23p3.
Phosphorus trianion gains three electrons (3 electrons are added to the valence shell, 3p) to form P3−: 1s22s22p63s23p6. (d) Al: 1s22s22p63s23p1. Aluminum dication loses two electrons (from outer valence shells; one from 3p and the other from 3s) to form Al2+: 1s22s22p63s1.
(e) Fe: 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d6. Iron(II) loses two electrons and, since it is a transition metal, they are removed from the 4s orbital: Fe2+: 1s22s22p63s23p63d6. Write the electron configuration and orbital diagram of the following ions: Which ion with a +2 charge has the electron configuration 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p64d5? Which ion with a
+3 charge has this configuration? Except where otherwise noted, this page is adapted by Jackie MacDonald from: “3.4 Electronic Structure of Atoms (Electron Configurations)” In General Chemistry 1 & 2 by Rice University, a derivative of Chemistry (Open Stax) by Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley & William R. Robinson and is licensed
under CC BY 4.0. ​Access for free at Chemistry (OpenStax)​ AND “6.4 Electronic Structure of Atoms (Electron Configurations)” In Chemistry 2e (Open Stax) by Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley & William R. Robinson is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Access for free at Chemistry 2e (Open Stax) . / Adaptations to content and addition of
examples and exercises to optimize student comprehension. Orbital Diagrams of: O2- ion, Sodium Ion (Na+), Phosphorus 3- ion, Aluminum two plus ion (Al2+), Iron two plus ion (Fe2+) by Jackie MacDonald, licensed under the CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike) license pictorial representation of the electron configuration showing
each orbital as a box and each electron as an arrow electronic structure of an atom in its ground state given as a listing of the orbitals occupied by the electrons procedure in which the electron configuration of the elements is determined by “building” them in order of atomic numbers, adding one proton to the nucleus and one electron to the proper
subshell at a time Every orbital in a sublevel is singly occupied before any orbital is doubly occupied. All of the electrons in singly occupied orbitals have the same spin (to maximize total spin). electrons in the outermost or valence shell (highest value of n) of a ground-state atom; determine how an element reacts electron in an atom that occupies the
orbitals of the inner shells