2nd Quarter Module

in
General Chemistry 1

Lesson 5: Electronic Structure of Atoms

The electronic structure of atoms and molecules is the series of energy levels that are possible for a bound
electron to occupy. This electronic structure determines many of the defining characteristics of an atom or
molecule, including their chemical, optical, and electrical properties.

Fireworks are known to have unique display of colors that’s why Filipinos usually use them to add colors
and brightness to the night sky during special occasions. Recently, a contest all over the world arose called the
Pyro Musical Competition wherein fireworks’ designers integrated music into the display timed with rhythm.

Copy the link below or scan the QR code to watch the recently concluded Pyro Musical
Competition 2019 held in the Philippines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3a5FCEXvcY

Guide Questions:
Pyro Musical Competition

What is light?
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Are there different colors of light? Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
How do you think designers incorporate colors in fireworks?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

To further understand how fireworks are related to light and quantum numbers, watch the short video clip
about “The Science of Firework Color”.

Copy the link below or scan the QR code to watch the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW5OBrB4MRM

Guide Question:
The Science of Firework Color

How does firework relate to Quantum Numbers?

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 MELC #1: (STEM_GC11MPIa-b-5) Use quantum numbers to describe an
electron in an atom.

Learning Target: I can identify the quantum numbers that are assigned to
electrons.

What are quantum numbers?

The Theory of Quantum Mechanics tells us that in an atom, the electrons are found in orbitals, and each
orbital has a characteristic energy. Orbital means "small orbit". We are interested in two properties of
orbitals - their energies and their shapes. Their energies are important because we normally find atoms in
their most stable states, which we call their ground states, in which electrons are at their lowest possible
energies.
Quantum Mechanics explains the behavior of electrons as if they were acting as a wave, and not as
particles. Quantum mechanics predicts two major things: quantized energies for electrons of all atoms (not
just hydrogen) and an organization of electrons within atoms.
A set of quantum numbers gives an information about the atomic orbital where an electron may be
found. Every electron in an atom is assigned a unique set of quantum numbers, of which there are four
classes: principal, azimuthal, magnetic, and spin.

1. Principal Quantum Numbers.

The principal quantum number (n) indicates the energy
level or shell where an atomic orbital can be found. n largely
determines the energy of an electron. Electrons in the same
atom that have the same principal quantum number are said to
occupy an electron shell of the atom.
n describes the most probable distance of the electrons
from the nucleus, the larger the number n is, the farther the
electron is from the nucleus, the larger the size of the orbital,
and the larger the atom is.
Figure 5.1 The orbits in the Bohr
The principal quantum number can be any nonzero Model are now referred to as principal
positive integer: 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on, that correspond to the energy levels.
“orbits” in the Bohr Model.
The first principal shell is also called the ground state, or lowest energy state. This explains why n
cannot be zero (0) or any negative integer, because there exist no atoms with zero or a negative amount of
energy levels/principal shells.
When an electron is in an excited state or it gains energy, it may jump to the second principal shell,
where n=2. This is called absorption because the electron is "absorbing" photons, or energy. Known as
emission, electrons can also "emit" energy as they jump to lower principal shells, where n decreases by
whole numbers. As the energy of the electron increases, so does the principal quantum number, e.g., n = 3
indicates the third principal shell, n = 4 indicates the fourth principal shell, and so on.
2. Azimuthal Quantum Number
The azimuthal quantum number (ℓ) specifies the sublevel (or subshell) within a particular principal
energy level.

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 The ℓ quantum number has a minor effect on the energy of the electron, but also affects the spatial
distribution of the electron in three-dimensional space—that is, the shape of an electron’s distribution in
space. The value of the ℓ quantum number can be any integer between 0 and n – 1.
The azimuthal quantum number represents the kind of shape of the orbital (s, p, d, f) that is being
occupied by an electron.
The ℓ values corresponding to the type of orbitals are shown on Table 5.1.

Table 5.1 Principal Quantum Numbers, Orbital Type, and Azimuthal Quantum Numbers

Orbital
n (shell) ℓ
(subshell)
1 s 0
2 p 1
3 d 2
4 f 3

Magnetic Quantum Numbers

The magnetic quantum number (mℓ) indicates Table 5.2 Lists of the possible values of mℓ for
the specific orbital within the sublevel where the the possible values of ℓ.
electron is found. It can have the values of - ℓ to + ℓ.
It also gives the number of orbitals in a sublevel and
the spatial orientation of these orbitals.
The value of mℓ dictates the orientation of an
electron’s distribution in space. When ℓ is zero, mℓ
can be only zero, so there is only one possible
orientation. When ℓ is 1, there are three possible
orientations for an electron’s distribution. When ℓ is
2, there are five possible orientations of electron
distribution. This goes on and on for the other values
of ℓ, but we need not consider any higher values of ℓ
here.

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 Figure 5.2 Electron Orbitals (a) The lone s
orbital is spherical in distribution. (b) The three
p orbitals are shaped like dumbbells, and each
one points in a different direction. (c) The five d
orbitals are rosette in shape, except for the dz2
orbital, which is a “dumbbell + torus”
combination. They are all oriented in different
directions.

Figure 5.2 Electron Orbitals shows that the ℓ quantum number dictates the general shape of electron
distribution in space. Any s orbital is spherically symmetric (part a) in Figure 5.2 Electron Orbitals, and
there is only one orbital in any s subshell. Any p orbital has a two-lobed, dumbbell-like shape (part b) in
Figure 5.2 Electron Orbitals because there are three of them, we normally represent them as pointing along
the x-, y-, and z-axes of Cartesian space. The d orbitals are four-lobed rosettes (part c) in Figure 5.2
Electron Orbitals they are oriented differently in space (the one labeled dz2 has two lobes and a torus
instead of four lobes, but it is equivalent to the other orbitals). When there is more than one possible value
of mℓ, each orbital is labeled with one of the possible values. It should be noted that the diagrams in Figure
5.2 Electron Orbitals are estimates of the electron distribution in space, not surfaces electrons are fixed
on.

Download the Virtual Orbital-3D from Google Play Store to visualize the Electron Orbitals more
clearly.

4. Spin Quantum Numbers

According to the Pauli Exclusion Principle, only a maximum of two electrons can occupy an orbital,
and they must have opposite spins to maximize repulsion between them. This principle is observed through
the spin quantum number (ms), which can only have the values of +1/2 or −1/2 (represented as ↑ or ↓,
respectively) for each electron. This quantum number describes the intrinsic spin of the electron in the
orbital.
As a rule, no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers. For example, in the
1s orbital, each electron has the same n, ℓ, mℓ, but different ms.

n=1 n=1

ℓ=0 ℓ=0
↑↓
mℓ =0 mℓ =0

ms =+1/2 ms =-1/2
1s

Figure 5.3 Set of Quantum Numbers for the Electrons in the 1s Orbital.

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 ACTIVITY 5.1: Let Us Identify the Quantum Numbers!
Directions: Complete the tables by proving the necessary information.
Place your answers on the table provided.

A. Identify the four quantum numbers which describe the location of the highest energy electron of the
given elements.

Element n ℓ mℓ ms
H 1 0 0 +1/2
He
Ni
Br
Cu

B. Identify the n and ℓ values of the given orbitals.

Orbital n ℓ
1s 1 0
3s
3p
4d
5f

C. Identify the orbital defined by the given quantum numbers.

n ℓ mℓ Orbital
3 0 0 3s
2 1 1
4 2 -1
3 3 2
3 1 2

D. Identify the values of the quantum numbers (n, ℓ, mℓ, and ms) of the highlighted electrons in the given
diagrams.

Orbital Spin Answer

1. 3p ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ n=3, ℓ=1, mℓ =1, ms=+1/2

2. 5s
↑↓

3. 4d
↑↓ ↑ ↑ ↑

4. 3d
↑ ↑ ↑

5. 1s
↑

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 HALLMARK CHECK
Great Spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. –Albert Einstein

How would you relate it to the topic discussed?

What Bedan characteristic is related to the given statement of Albert Einstein? Explain.

Please answer this on the GENYO Forum assigned to your class.

Formative Assessment:

Direction. Read and analyze the given question. Supply the information needed.

1. The number of orbitals with the quantum numbers n = 3, ℓ = 2, and mℓ = 0 is _________.

2. The subshell with the quantum numbers n = 4, ℓ = 2 is _________.

3. The mℓ values for a d orbital are _________.

4. The allowed values of ℓ for the shell with n = 2 are _________.

5. The lowest value of n for which a d subshell can occur is _________.

6. The allowed values of ℓ for the shell with n = 4 are _________.

For numbers 7-10. State the four quantum numbers, then explain the possible values they may have and

what they represent.

7.

8.

9.

10.

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 MELC #2: (STEM_GC11MPIa-b-5) Determine the magnetic property of the atom
based on its electronic configuration.
MELC #3: (STEM_GC11MPIa-b-5) Draw an orbital diagram to represent the
electronic configuration of atoms

Learning Target: I can. . .

• determine the electron configuration of atoms;
• identify the magnetic property of an atom using the electron configuration; and
• represent the electron configuration of atoms using orbital diagrams.

Directions: Indicate the ideas or concepts that you know about “Electron Configurations” on the “What
I Know” part of the chart. Also, indicate what else you would like to know about the given topic on the
“What I want to know” part of the chart. Note that the last part of the chart “What I Learned” is to be
answered on the latter part of the discussion, please leave it blank in the meantime.

WHAT I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO WHAT I LEARNED

KNOW

What are electron configurations?

How is electron configuration different from orbital diagram?

The electron configuration of an atom is the representation of the arrangement of electrons distributed
among the orbital shells and subshells. Commonly, the electron configuration is used to describe the orbitals
of an atom in its ground state, but it can also be used to represent an atom that has ionized into a cation or
anion by compensating with the loss of or gain of electrons in their subsequent orbitals.
Many of the physical and chemical properties of elements can be correlated to their unique electron
configurations. The valence electrons, electrons in the outermost shell, are the determining factor for the
unique chemistry of the element.
The electron configuration of each element is unique to its position on the periodic table. The energy
level is determined by the period and the number of electrons is given by the atomic number of the element.
Orbitals on different energy levels are like each other, but they occupy different areas in space.
The 1s orbital and 2s orbital both have the characteristics of an s orbital (radial nodes, spherical
volume probabilities, can only hold two electrons, etc.) but, as they are found in different energy levels,
they occupy different spaces around the nucleus.

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 Each electron in an atom has a unique set of quantum numbers. How these electrons are distributed
among the orbitals in an atom is given by the electron configuration, in writing electron configurations,
each orbital and the electron(s) it holds are represented as

1s2
Number of electrons
Energy Level

Orbital

Recall that in a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. Thus, the
number of electrons in an atom is equal to its atomic number.

Figure 5.4 Electron Configurations in the Periodic Table of Elements.

Figure 5.4 shows the electron configurations in the periodic table of elements. Using the periodic table to
determine the electron configurations of atoms is the key in writing elements’ electron configuration, but
also keep in mind that there are certain rules to follow when assigning electrons to different orbitals. The
periodic table is an incredibly helpful tool in writing electron configurations.

RULES FOR ASSIGNING ELECTRON ORBITALS

Occupation of Orbitals
Electrons fill orbitals in a way to minimize the energy of the atom.
Therefore, the electrons in an atom fill the principal energy levels in
order of increasing energy (the electrons are getting farther from the
nucleus).
The order of levels to be filled looks like this:
1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p, 8s,
and so on.

Figure 5.5 Orbitals

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✓ The first way to remember this pattern, probably, the easiest, is to refer to the periodic table and
remember where each orbital block falls to logically deduce this pattern.
✓ The second way is to make a table like the one in Figure 5.5 and use vertical lines to determine which
subshell correspond with each other.
✓ The third possible way to remember is to use the mnemonic:
1s (Si), 2s (Sharon), 2p (Pumasok), 3s (Sa), 3p (Pinto), 4s (Si), 3d (Daddy), 4p (Pumasok), 5s (Sa), 4d
(Door), 5p (Paano), 6s (Si), 4f (Francis), 5d (Daddy), 6p (Paano), 7s (Si), 5f (Francis), 6d (Daddy), 7p
(Paano), 8s (Siya).
Pauli Exclusion Principle
The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two electrons can have the same four quantum numbers.
The first three (n, ℓ, and mℓ) may be the same, but the fourth quantum number, ms, must be different.
A single orbital can hold a maximum of two (2) electrons, which must have opposing spins; otherwise
they would have the same four quantum numbers, which is forbidden. One electron would spin up (ms =
+1/2) and the other would spin down (ms = -1/2). This tells us that each subshell has double the electrons
per orbital.
Remember!
Only two electrons may occupy the same orbital and that these two electrons must have opposite spins.

Table 5.2 shows the number of electrons a certain subshell can hold. The s subshell has 1 orbital that
can hold up to 2 electrons, the p subshell has 3 orbitals that can hold up to 6 electrons, the d subshell has
5 orbitals that hold up to 10 electrons, and the f subshell has 7 orbitals with 14 electrons.
Table 5.2 Number of Electrons a Subshell Can Hold
Number of electrons that it
Subshell Orbital
can hold
s 1 2
p 3 6
d 5 10
f 7 14

Example of Pauli Exclusion Prnciple:

The first three quantum numbers of an electron are n=1, ℓ=0, mℓ =0. Only two electrons can correspond
to these, which would be either ms = -1/2 or +1/2.
As we already know from our discussion of quantum numbers and electron orbitals, we can conclude
that these four quantum numbers refer to the 1s subshell. If only one of the ms values is given, then we
would have 1s1 (denoting hydrogen), if both are given, then we would have 1s2 (denoting helium).
Visually, this is be represented as:
1s orbital ↑ ↑↓

H He

As shown, the 1s subshell can hold only two electrons and, when filled, the electrons have opposite spins.

Hund's Rule of Multiplicity

When assigning electrons in orbitals, each electron will first fill all the orbitals with similar energy
(also referred to as degenerate) before pairing with another electron in a half-filled orbital. The electrons
must occupy the orbitals singly with parallel spins (↑), before they occupy the orbitals in pairs (↑↓).
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 Atoms at the ground states tend to have as many unpaired electrons as possible. When visualizing this
processes, think about how electrons are exhibiting the same behavior as the same poles on a magnet would
if they came into contact; as the negatively charged electrons fill orbitals they first try to get as far as
possible from each other before having to pair up.
Example of Hund’s Rule Multiplicity:
The electron configuration of the Nitrogen (Z = 7) atom is 1s2 2s2 2p3.

You can clearly see that p orbitals are half-filled as there are three electrons and three p orbitals. This is
because Hund's Rule states that the three electrons in the 2p subshell will fill all the empty orbitals first,
before filling the orbitals with electrons in them.
If we look at the Oxygen (Z = 8), its electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p4.

If you can notice, Oxygen has one more electron than Nitrogen, and as the orbitals are all half- filled the
electron must pair up.

The following actions are forbidden or not permitted according to the Hund’s Rule of Multplicity:

↑ ↑↓ ↑ ↓ ↑↑ ↓↓ ↑ ↑↓ ↑

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

↑ ↑ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ ↑ ↑↓

3p 3p 3p

The Aufbau Principle/ Process

Aufbau comes from the German word "aufbauen" meaning "to build". When writing electron
configurations, orbitals are built up from atom to atom. When writing the electron configuration for an
atom, orbitals are filled in order of increasing atomic number –1s-2s-2p-3s-3p-4s-3d-4p-5s.

Example of Aufbau Principle:

Following the pattern across a period from B (Z=5) to N (Z=7), the number of electrons increases and the
subshells are filled.
✓ B (Z=5) electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p1
✓ C (Z=6) electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p2
✓ N (Z=7) electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p3

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However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

Figure 5.6 Exceptions to Electron Configuration Trends

Figure 5.6 shows the exceptions to the Hund’s rule for the electron configuration trends. Although the
Aufbau rule accurately predicts the electron configuration of most elements, there are notable exceptions
among the transition metals and heavier elements. The reason these exceptions occur is that some elements
are more stable with fewer electrons in some subshells and more electrons in others.

Writing Electron Configurations

When writing an electron configuration, first write the energy level (the period), then the subshell to
be filled, and the superscript, which is the number of electrons in that subshell. The total number of electrons
is the atomic number, Z.
Example: He (Z = 2) - 1s 2

1s2
Energy Level Number of electrons in
level the orbital
Orbital

The rules above allow one to write the electron configurations for all the elements in the periodic table.
Three methods are used to write electron configurations:
1. Orbital Diagrams
An orbital diagram, like those shown above, is a visual way to reconstruct the electron
configuration by showing each of the separate orbitals and the spins on the electrons. This is done by
first determining the subshell (s, p, d, or f), then drawing each electron according to the stated rules
above.
Example:

Paramagnetism and Diamagnetism. Paramagnetism and diamagnetism are properties of elements

explained by the electron distribution.
Paramagnetism refers to the characteristic of an element to be slightly attracted to a magnet. It results from
the presence of unpaired electrons in some of the atomic orbitals of an atom, which creates a net magnetic

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moment for the atom. These electrons tend to align themselves in the direction of an external magnetic
field.
Elements without unpaired electrons in their orbitals exhibit diamagnetism. Diamagnetism is characterized
by non-attraction, or even a slight repulsion, of an element to a magnet. When the electrons in an atom’s
orbital are all paired, the atom does not have a net magnetic moment and is not attracted by an external
magnetic field.
Example:
Arsenic (Z=33), which has three unpaired electrons in its 4p orbitals, is considered paramagnetic (orbital
is not maximized).

As ↑ ↑ ↑ paramagnetic

4p orbitals
Krypton (Z=36), which has fully filled 4p orbitals, is diamagnetic (orbital is maximized).

Kr ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ diamagnetic

4p orbitals

2. Full Electron Configuration (spdf Notation)

The most common way to describe electron configurations is to write the distributions in the spdf
notation. Although the distributions of electrons in each orbital are not as apparent as in the diagram,
the total number of electrons in each energy level is described by a superscript that follows the relating
energy level.
To write the electron configuration of an atom, identify the energy level of interest, and write the
number of electrons in the energy level as its superscript, as follows: 1s2. This is the electron
configuration of helium; it denotes a full s orbital. The periodic table is used as a reference to accurately
write the electron configurations of all the atoms.
Example:
He (Z = 2) - 1s 2

3. Core Notation / Abbreviated Electron Configuration (Noble Gas Notation)

This brings up an interesting point about the elements and the electron configurations.
The noble gases have the most stable electron configurations and are known for being relatively
inert. All noble gases have their subshells filled and can have used them as a shorthand way of writing
electron configurations for the subsequent atoms.
This method of writing configurations is called the noble gas notation, in which the noble gas in
the period above the element that is being analyzed is used to denote the subshells that the element has
filled, and after which the valence electrons (electrons filling orbitals in the outer most shells) are
written. This looks slightly different from the spdf notation, as the reference noble gas must be
indicated.
Example:
Vanadium (V) - [Ar] 4s2 3d3
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Vanadium is the transition metal in the fourth period and the fifth group. The noble gas preceding it, is
argon (Ar, Z=18), and knowing that vanadium has filled those orbitals before it, argon is used as the
reference noble gas. The noble gas in the configuration is denoted E, in brackets: [E]. To find the valance
electrons that follow, subtract the atomic numbers: 23 - 18 = 5. Instead of 23 electrons to distribute in
orbitals, there are 5.

To further understand the quantum number and electron

configuration, watch the video about Energy Levels, Energy
Sublevels, Orbitals, & Pauli Exclusion Principle.

Copy the link below or scan the QR code to watch the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-
DjEIlynjE&list=RDCMUC_l6kscRnNdZhKRdMg2E5gA&index=2
Energy Levels, Energy Sublevels,
Orbitals, & Pauli Exclusion Principle

ACTIVITY 5.2: Writing the Electron Configurations and

Drawing the Orbital Diagrams

Directions: Provide the necessary information. Place your answers on the table/ space provided.

A. Identify the abbreviated electron configurations of the given elements.

1. cobalt _______________________________________________
2. silver _______________________________________________
3. tellurium _______________________________________________
4. radium _______________________________________________
5. lawrencium _______________________________________________

B. Identify the full electron configuration of the given elements. Draw their orbital diagrams, then identify
them as paramagnetic or diamagnetic.

Paramagnetic
Electron
Element Orbital Diagram or
Configuration
Diamagnetic?

1. lithium

2. fluorine

3. sodium

4. beryllium

5. calcium

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 ACTIVITY 5.3: Love of Lab

See activity sheet sent on GENYO.

Directions: Indicate the new or additional concepts that you gained about “Electron Configurations” on the
“What I Learned” part of the chart.

WHAT I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO WHAT I LEARNED

KNOW

HALLMARK CHECK

Each element is unique and has the properties that help in identifying their advantages and
disadvantages in the different fields.
Like elements, each person is also unique and has personality and characteristics that are different
from others.

1. As a Bedan student, what makes you unique?

2. How do you preserve your uniqueness or how do you improve your characteristics to make
yourself a better person?
3. How will you use your unique personality and characteristics to establish harmony with the
people around you?

Please answer this on the GENYO Forum assigned to your class.

See assigned quiz on GENYO.

Summative Test # 1
Electronic Structure of Atoms

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