Electron Configuration

Background Information for Learners
The Quantum Mechanical Model was proposed by an Austrian Physicist, Erwin Schrödinger
(1887–1961) in 1926. According to this model, atom is composed of heavy nucleus
surrounded by clouds of negative charges. The negative charges or electrons are NOT in
circular orbits around nucleus. They do not move or stay in a fixed position but, rather, they
stay away from the nucleus or move either near or far from the nucleus. This model suggests
that it is impossible to know the EXACT position and momentum of an electron at the same
time. This is known as the Uncertainty Principle.
The model states that electrons can PROBABLY be found in a in space around the
nucleus called the atomic orbital or simply orbital. The atomic orbital describes the probable
location of the electron. The quantum mechanical model of the atom uses complex shapes of
orbitals (sometimes called electron
clouds/ cloud of negative charge),
volumes of space in which there is
likely to be an electron. So, this model
is based on probability rather than
certainty.
The darker the area, the greater is the

probability of finding an electron in the
area.
There are different kinds of atomic orbitals
that differ in the amount of energy and
shapes
(where the electron probably is). The atomic

orbitals get filled by electrons in a certain order.
Image Source: Pinterest.com Figure

1. Electron Cloud
The Quantum Mechanical Model describes the probable location of electrons in atoms
by describing the Principal energy level, the Energy sublevel, the Orbital (in each sublevel)
and Spin.
Principal Energy Level (n) or Shells
This indicates the relative size and energy of atomic orbitals. Electrons occupy
definite principal energy levels. They are represented by a number called the principal
quantum number, n.
Each of the principal energy levels is represented as n= 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 where 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5 are the energy levels.
As n increases orbital become larger, electron spends more time farther away from nucleus
and atom's energy level increases.
Energy sublevel or Subshell

Principal energy levels are broken down into sublevels. The quantum model also
reveals that each principal energy level consists of one or more energy sublevels. The number
of energy sublevels for each principal energy level are not the same.
Electrons occupy first the lowest position. In case of electrons, they usually occupy the
lowest sublevel which is s. The next sublevel is p; the third, d; and the fourth, f.
Sublevels define the orbital shape (s, p, d, f) The letters s, p, d, and f stand for sharp,
principal, diffuse, and fundamental, respectively.
n=1, 1 sublevel (s)
n=2, 2 sublevels (s, p)
n=3, 3 sublevels (s, p, d)
n=4, 4 sublevels (s, p, d,
f)
Orbitals (in each sublevel)

Atomic orbitals are the places surrounding the nucleus of an atom where electrons are most
likely to be located at a given time. The number of atomic orbitals in an element is defined
by the period the element is in.
Each sublevel has a different number of orbitals.
Table 1. Energy Sublevels, Orbitals and Maximum Number of Electrons

Maximum
Number
Number Arrow Represent The Allowed Maximum Number Of Energy
Of
Of Electrons In Each Sublevel Sublevels
Orbitals
Electrons
1 2 s
3 6 p
5 10 d
7 14 f
Table 2. Principal Energy Levels and Sublevels of Electrons
Principal Maximum
Energy Level Number of Type of Sublevel and Number of Orbitals Number of
(n) Sublevels Electron =2n2
1 1 1s (1orbital) 2
2 2 2s(1orbital), 2p (3 orbitals) 8
3 3 3s (1orbital), 3p (3orbitals), 3d (5orbitals) 18
4s (1orbital), 4p (3orbitals), 4d (5 orbitals),
4 4 4f (7 orbitals) 32
5s (1orbital), 5p (3orbitals), 5d (5 orbitals),

5 5 5f (7 orbitals), 5g (9 orbitals) 50
The four major principal energy levels can accommodate a maximum of 2, 8, 18, and
32 electrons, respectively. The formula 2n 2 can be used to predict the maximum number of
electrons in each principal energy level. The n can be substituted by 1, 2, 3, 4 in the formula.
What does the following indicate?
number of electrons
1s 2
a c b. number of electrons in the orbital

a. principal energy level c. type of orbital
The symbol 1s2 indicates that there are 2 electrons in the s-orbital found in the second
energy level.
Spin
Electrons act like they are spinning on an axis
 Generates a magnetic field
 No two electrons in the same orbital can have the same spin
Electronic Configuration
The electronic configuration of an element describes how electrons are arranged in
successive sublevels and orbitals. This arrangement normally applies to atoms that are in the
ground state. The following rules are to be followed in deriving the electronic configuration
of an element.
3 Rules for Electron Configuration at Ground State
1. Aufbau Principle
Each electron occupies the lowest energy orbital available.
The word aufbau means “building up." An electron in the ground state normally
occupies orbitals in the lowest available energy level. Each added electrons occupy the
orbitals according to increasing energy, with the lowest orbital filled first. In general,
electrons fill orbitals in the order shown in the figure below.
Image Source:
chem.uiuc.edu Figure 2.
Order of Orbitals
The 1s comes first because its n value is low, hence, lower in energy. Overlapping of
energy begins as n increases in value. For instance, 4s comes first before 3d. As n increases,
the energy of the electrons increases.
Figure 2 indicates that the order of increasing energy of the orbitals is:
1s < 2s < 2p < 3 < 3p < 4s < 3d
A maximum of 2 electrons may occupy a single atomic orbital only if they have opposite
spins.
Example: Beryllium, Be, has an atomic number and number of electrons equal to 4.
𝟗𝟒𝑩𝒆
1s2 2s2
This shows the electron accommodation in the available orbital of Beryllium. Its electronic
configuration may be denoted by Be: 1s2 2s2.
2. Pauli Exclusion Principle

A maximum of 2 electrons may occupy a single atomic orbital only if they have opposite
spins.
Example: Beryllium, Be, has an atomic number and number of electrons equal to 4.
Be
1s 2
2s 2
This shows the electron accommodation in the available orbital of Beryllium. Its electronic
configuration may be denoted by Be: 1s 2s .
2 2
3. Hund's Rule
A single electron with the same spin must occupy each orbital in a sublevel before they
pair up with an electron with an opposite spin.
Example 2: Phosphorus has an atomic number and number of electrons equal to 15.
𝟑𝟎𝟏𝟓𝑷
2p2 2p2 3s
1s2 2s2 2p2 2 3p1 3p1 3p1
2p6 3p3

Electron Configuration

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Background Information for Learners

The darker the area, the greater is the

(where the electron probably is). The atomic

Image Source: Pinterest.com Figure

Energy sublevel or Subshell

Orbitals (in each sublevel)

Table 1. Energy Sublevels, Orbitals and Maximum Number of Electrons

5s (1orbital), 5p (3orbitals), 5d (5 orbitals),

a c b. number of electrons in the orbital

2. Pauli Exclusion Principle

1s2 2s2 2p2 2 3p1 3p1 3p1

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