•The electron configuration of an atom is the representation of the 
arrangement of electrons that are 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 (positively-charged ion) or anion (negatively-charged 
ion) 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 on the outer most shell, become the 
determining factor for the unique chemistry of the element.
The electron configuration of an atomic group (neutral or 
ionic) allows us to understand the shape and energy of its 
electrons. Knowing the electron configuration of a species 
gives us a better understanding of its bonding ability, 
magnetism and other chemical properties
•Each electron shell refers to a specific energy level 
•Within each energy level electrons are found in sub-levels 
•Within a sub-level electrons are found in orbitals 
•There can be a maximum of two electrons in any orbital 
•The lowest energy orbitals are filled first
• The lowest energy orbital 
within each energy level. 
• Basically a sphere. 
• Increases in size each 
energy level
• There are three p orbitals lying on the three axes (x, y 
and z). 
• Almost like a figure 8.
• There are 5 d orbitals. 
• Three are found lying 
between two of the 
three axes (xy, yz and 
xz). One lies along the 
x and y axes (x2 – y2) 
and the last lies along 
the z axis (z2).
Maximum Number of Electrons Maximum Number o Inf Ea chE Sublleevel ctrons 
In Each Sublevel 
Maximum Number 
Sublevel Number of Orbitals of Electrons 
s 1 2 
p 3 6 
d 5 10 
f 7 14 
LeMay Jr, Beall, Robblee, Brower, Chemistry Connections to Our Changing World , 1996, page 146
1s 
2s 
3s 
4s 
5s 
6s 
7s 
2p 
3p 
4p 
5p 
6p 
3d 
4d 
5d 
6d 
4f 
5f 
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d … 2 2 6 2 6 2 10 6 2 10
4f 
4d 
4p 
4s 
n = 4 
3d 
3p 
3s 
n = 3 
2p 
2s 
n = 2 
n = 1 1s 
Energy 
7s 
6s 
5s 
4s 
3s 
2s 
1s 
6p 
5p 
4p 
3p 
2p 
6d 
5d 
4d 
3d 
5f 
4f 
7s 
5f 
4d 
5p 
4p 
3d 
4s 
3p 
3s 
2p 
2s 
1s 
5s 
6s 
6p 
6d 
4f 
5d 
Energy
Electron 
capacities 
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Benjamin Cummings. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2007 Pearson Benjamin Cummings. All rights reserved. 
32 
32 
18 
18 
8 
8 
2
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
N 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
Hydrogen 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
N 
H = 1s1 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
Helium 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
N 
He = 1s2 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
Lithium 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
N 
Li = 1s22s1 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
Carbon 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
N 
C = 1s22s22p2 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
Nitrogen 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
N 
N = 1s22s22p3 
Hund’s Rule “maximum 
number of unpaired 
orbitals”. 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
Fluorine 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
N 
F = 1s22s22p5 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
Aluminum 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
N 
Al = 1s22s22p63s23p1 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
Argon 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
N 
Ar = 1s22s22p63s23p6 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
Iron 
N 
Fe = 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d6 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration
Energy Level Diagram 
Arbitrary Energy Scale 
6s 6p 5d 4f 
5s 5p 4d 
4s 4p 3d 
3s 3p 
2s 2p 
1s 
NUCLEUS 
CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS 
Lanthanum 
N 
La = 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d10 
4s23d104p65s24d105p66s25d1 
H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La 
Bohr Model 
Electron Configuration
neon's electron configuration (1s22s22p6) 
[Ne] 3s1 
third energy level 
one electron in the s orbital 
orbital shape 
A 
B 
C 
D 
Na = [1s22s22p6] 3s1 electron configuration

Electron config

  • 2.
    •The electron configurationof an atom is the representation of the arrangement of electrons that are 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 (positively-charged ion) or anion (negatively-charged ion) 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 on the outer most shell, become the determining factor for the unique chemistry of the element.
  • 3.
    The electron configurationof an atomic group (neutral or ionic) allows us to understand the shape and energy of its electrons. Knowing the electron configuration of a species gives us a better understanding of its bonding ability, magnetism and other chemical properties
  • 4.
    •Each electron shellrefers to a specific energy level •Within each energy level electrons are found in sub-levels •Within a sub-level electrons are found in orbitals •There can be a maximum of two electrons in any orbital •The lowest energy orbitals are filled first
  • 5.
    • The lowestenergy orbital within each energy level. • Basically a sphere. • Increases in size each energy level
  • 6.
    • There arethree p orbitals lying on the three axes (x, y and z). • Almost like a figure 8.
  • 7.
    • There are5 d orbitals. • Three are found lying between two of the three axes (xy, yz and xz). One lies along the x and y axes (x2 – y2) and the last lies along the z axis (z2).
  • 8.
    Maximum Number ofElectrons Maximum Number o Inf Ea chE Sublleevel ctrons In Each Sublevel Maximum Number Sublevel Number of Orbitals of Electrons s 1 2 p 3 6 d 5 10 f 7 14 LeMay Jr, Beall, Robblee, Brower, Chemistry Connections to Our Changing World , 1996, page 146
  • 9.
    1s 2s 3s 4s 5s 6s 7s 2p 3p 4p 5p 6p 3d 4d 5d 6d 4f 5f 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d … 2 2 6 2 6 2 10 6 2 10
  • 10.
    4f 4d 4p 4s n = 4 3d 3p 3s n = 3 2p 2s n = 2 n = 1 1s Energy 7s 6s 5s 4s 3s 2s 1s 6p 5p 4p 3p 2p 6d 5d 4d 3d 5f 4f 7s 5f 4d 5p 4p 3d 4s 3p 3s 2p 2s 1s 5s 6s 6p 6d 4f 5d Energy
  • 12.
    Electron capacities Copyright© 2006 Pearson Benjamin Cummings. All rights reserved.
  • 13.
    Copyright © 2007Pearson Benjamin Cummings. All rights reserved. 32 32 18 18 8 8 2
  • 14.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS Bohr Model Electron Configuration CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS N H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
  • 15.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS Hydrogen Bohr Model Electron Configuration CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS N H = 1s1 H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
  • 16.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS Helium Bohr Model Electron Configuration CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS N He = 1s2 H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
  • 17.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS Lithium Bohr Model Electron Configuration CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS N Li = 1s22s1 H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
  • 18.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS Carbon Bohr Model Electron Configuration CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS N C = 1s22s22p2 H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
  • 19.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS Nitrogen Bohr Model Electron Configuration CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS N N = 1s22s22p3 Hund’s Rule “maximum number of unpaired orbitals”. H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
  • 20.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS Fluorine Bohr Model Electron Configuration CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS N F = 1s22s22p5 H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
  • 21.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS Aluminum Bohr Model Electron Configuration CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS N Al = 1s22s22p63s23p1 H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
  • 22.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS Argon Bohr Model Electron Configuration CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS N Ar = 1s22s22p63s23p6 H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La
  • 23.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS Iron N Fe = 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d6 H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La Bohr Model Electron Configuration
  • 24.
    Energy Level Diagram Arbitrary Energy Scale 6s 6p 5d 4f 5s 5p 4d 4s 4p 3d 3s 3p 2s 2p 1s NUCLEUS CLICK ON ELEMENT TO FILL IN CHARTS Lanthanum N La = 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d10 4s23d104p65s24d105p66s25d1 H He Li C N Al Ar F Fe La Bohr Model Electron Configuration
  • 25.
    neon's electron configuration(1s22s22p6) [Ne] 3s1 third energy level one electron in the s orbital orbital shape A B C D Na = [1s22s22p6] 3s1 electron configuration