Staten Island Technical High School

Vincent A. Maniscalco, Principal

The Physical Setting:

CHEMISTRY

Science Department
Mark Erlenwein, Assistant Principal

- Unit 2 -
Atomic Structure
Lessons 5 - 9

The Bohr and Orbital Model of the Atom,

Electron/Orbital and Electron Dot Configurations, Ions
and an Introduction to the Periodic Table

Prepared by
Mark Erlenwein
The Bohr Model of the Atom
Proposed an atomic model that resembled our solar system.
The electrons (like planets) are thought of as revolving around the nucleus (the sun) in orbits.

These orbits (shells), called principal energy levels, are the only regions in which electrons can be found within the atom.

Principal Energy Levels

(The places where electrons hang out)
 They are denoted by the letters K, L, M, N, O, P, Q or more recently by the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 respectively.
 Each level can contain only a specific # of electrons.
 Each principal level can hold 2n2 electrons.
Ex. On the 3rd principal energy level (n = 3) , the maximum is 18.
 Electrons on shells closest to the Nucleus posses smaller amounts of energy.
 Electrons farther from the nucleus have higher energies.
 Electrons that are found in the lowest available energy levels are said to be in the ground state.
 When atoms absorbs energy, electrons may move from lower shells to higher shells
(Leaving shells closer to the nucleus partially or completely empty). This is the excited state.
 The excited state is considered unstable. Electrons will tend to move back to lower energy levels.

The Orbital Model of the Atom – Mechanical Wave Model

 Differs from the Bohr model.
 Does not represent the paths of electrons as planetary orbits.
 Instead, it specifies only probabilities of finding electrons at
various directions and distances from the nucleus.

Orbital- the region in which there is a high probability of finding electrons.

 Vary in size, shape and space orientation.
 Energy levels are represented similarly to the Bohr model.
 Energy levels are represented by a set of four quantum numbers.

Principal Quantum Number

 Defines the principal energy level of an electron.
(If an electron is in the third shell (using Bohr’s term),
then in the orbital model, its principal quantum number is 3 (n=3) )
Sublevels
 Each principal energy level contains sublevels of energy.
 Total # of sublevels for each principal energy level is equal
to the principal quantum number, n.
Ex. Principal E. Level 1 has 1 sublevel. (since n=1)
Principal E. Level 3 has 3 sublevels. (since n=3)
There are four sublevels:
1st – s
2nd – p
3rd – d
4th – f ex. 1s is the first principal level (n=1),
3s is the third (n=3) Spatial Differences of Orbitals
Orbitals in Depth
An orbital is the region inside the atom in which an electron can be found.
Each sublevel has a characteristic number of orbitals.
Orbitals differ from one another in shape and spatial orientation.
(Remember that an orbital is a probability region, partially theoretical)
Level # of orbitals
s 1
p 3
d 5
f 7

An orbital can hold 2 electrons.

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All of these factors that are taken into consideration make
up what’s called the Electron Configuration.
This is a table to make better sense out of some of the
components we have just talked about:

Electron Configuration – Important Facts and Methods

1. Electron configurations are based on the Atomic # (which tells us the # or electrons)
of an element found on the periodic table.
Atomic #
2. Electron configurations are made up of Principal Energy levels,
which can hold only a certain # of electrons.
(Use the formula 2n2 to determine the total # of electrons that a Principal Energy Level can hold.)
Example. Level Formula Total # of electrons
1 (2n2) , so 2 (12) 2
2 (2n2) , so 2 (22) 8
3 (2n , so 2 (3 )
2) 2 18
4 (2n2) , so 2 (42) 32
3. Each Principal Energy Level contains a certain # of sublevel(s) equal to the # of the P. E. level that is being
referred to.
P.E. Level Sublevel(s) # of Orbitals # of electrons per sublevel ( per P. E. Level)
1 s 1 2 (Total of 2 electrons for 1st P.E. Level)

2 s 1 2
p 3 6 (Total of 8 electrons for 2nd P.E. Level)

3 s 1 2
p 3 6
d 5 10 (Total of 18 electrons for 3rd P.E. Level)

4 s 1 2
p 3 6
d 5 10
f 7 14 (Total of 32 electrons for 4th P.E. Level)

4. Electron configurations are written in a string of letters and numbers that are used to refer to the P.E. Level,
the sublevel, and the # of electrons present on that sublevel.
We’ve adapted the Diagonal rule to help us formulate the correct pattern.

P.E. Level 1s2 # of electrons

Sublevel
Current version on Periodic Table denotes # of P.E. levels by dashes
which separate the # of electrons on each level. 

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Complete the Electron Configurations for the first 18 elements.

Old Electron Current Elec.

Element Atomic # Configuration Configuration

H 1 ____________________________________

He 2 ____________________________________

Li 3 ____________________________________

Be 4 ______________

B 5 ___________

C 6 ____________________________________

N 7 ____________________________________

O 8 ____________________________________

F 9 ____________________________________

Ne 10 ____________________________________

Na 11 ____________________________________

Mg 12 ____________________________________

Al 13 2 – 8 – 3
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Look up on Periodic Table

Si 14 ____________________________________

P 15 ____________________________________

S 16 ____________________________________

Ca 20 ____________________________________

Rb 37 ____________________________________

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Now that we’ve learned the two versions of the “Electron Configuration,” Orbital and Dashed, compare and
contrast the difference between each notational method, below. ( 1s2 2s2 2p1 and 2-3 )
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Using the orbital (spdf) electron configuration of, Ca (calcium) and Rb (rubidium),
Ca 20e- 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 (2-8-8-2)
Rb 37e- 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s
2 2 6 2 6 2 10 6 1 (2-8-18-8-1)
what is strange about the sequence of the sublevels and principle energy levels in the orbital form? Explain below.
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Note: After we’ve completed filling the second P.E. level,

we can refer to the first two P.E. levels for elements associated with those levels by writing [Ne]:
For Aluminum, (Atomic # of 13) we could write:
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1
or we could replace the 1s2 2s2 2p6 (which is Ne’s electron configuration)
with [Ne] and write this instead: [Ne] 3s2 3p1

Rewrite the electron configurations using the shorthand method,

for the 5 elements to the right:.

Facts to remember about Electron Configurations and how they work.

1.You will always write them in the GROUND STATE. 1s2 2s2 2p6 or 2 – 8 (Think of the ground state as filling up P.E. Levels in order)
2. The EXCITED STATE is present if the electrons fill the sublevels and P.E. levels,
but does so in a fashion that breaks the GROUND STATE pattern: (Filling P.E. Levels out of order)

(The electrons jump an energy level) 1s2 2s1 3s1 (should be 1s2 2s2 )
or
2 – 1 – 1 (should be 2 – 2 )
3. Energy is released when an electron changes from a
higher to lower Principal Energy Level or Sublevel.
Ex. Goes from 3s to 2s ( or 3 to 2 )

4. When an atom releases energy a photon of light appears.

5. Spectral lights are the result of electrons falling from higher energy levels to lower ones ( EXCITED to GROUND STATE).
Measured in nanometers.

410 nm(violet) 434 nm (blue-violet) 486 nm (blue-green) 656 nm (red)

Each element has its own characteristic visible-line spectrum by which it can be identified.

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Alternate Pictorial Versions of the Electron Configuration
This pictorial version can depict the
1s2 2s2 2p6 and 2 – 8 versions of the electron configuration.

Draw a pictorial atom for the two samples below

using the method described above.

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Electron Configuration Review

Level # of Orbitals # of electrons
s 1 2
p 3 6
d 5 10
f 7 14

1. What does each number and letter mean in the following symbol… 3d8 ?

2. Complete (write) the electron configuration through the 4d sublevel.

3. Write out both versions of the electron configuration for Aluminum (Al), in addition to the shorthand version?

4. Write out the complete electron configuration for Calcium (Ca), both versions.

5. What is the total number of principal energy levels that are completely filled in an atom of Magnesium in the ground state?

6. Which is an electron configuration of a fluorine atom in the excited state?

1s2 2s2 2p4 1s2 2s2 2p5 1s2 2s2 2p43s1 1s2 2s2 2p53s1

7. What is the maximum number of sublevels in the third principal energy level?

9. Which is the electron configuration of an atom that is excited?

1s1 1s1 2s1 1s2 2s2 1s2 2s2 2p2

10. What is the total # of d-orbitals in the Third principal energy level?

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Orbital Structure of the Electron Configuration
Before we learned how to represent the filling of electrons within Principal Energy Levels and their respective Sublevels.
Now we are going to focus on the filling of electrons within the orbitals themselves:

An orbital by itself can only hold 2 electrons. Therefore when we refer to the “s” orbital, we know that it can only hold 2 electrons, because
the “s” sublevel has 1 orbital. Let’s review the chart::
Level # of Orbitals # of electrons
s 1 2
p 3 6
d 5 10
f 7 14

Let’s refer to the orbitals on a sublevel by using a series of dashes as follows:

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

s orbital (1) p orbitals (3) d orbitals (5)
on s sublevel on p sublevel on d sublevel

In this method of an Electrons filling of an Orbital, there are a few things to note:
1. When an orbital is empty, we indicate this by ____ .
2. When an orbital contains only one electron, we indicate this by 
3. When an orbital contains two electrons, we indicate this by .
This is a more stable condition for electrons in that orbital.

Important Rule: Electrons entering a sublevel will half-fill the orbitals in that sublevel before they fill it completely.

Example #1: Let’s take Helium (He), atomic # of 2.

 ___(none)
___ ___ ___ ___(none)
___ ___ ___
s orbital (1) p orbitals (3) d orbitals (5)
on s sublevel on p sublevel on d sublevel

Example #2: Let’s take Lithium (Li), atomic # of 3.

  (none)
___ ___ ___
1s 2s 2p

Example #3: Let’s take Beryllium (Be), atomic # of 4.

  (none)
___ ___ ___
1s 2s 2p

Example #4: Let’s take Carbon (C), atomic # of 6.

    ___ Note: Notice how the arrows fill in the upward

1s 2s 2p direction first, per sublevel, before they fill in the
downward direction.

Example #5: Let’s take Nitrogen (N), atomic # of 7.

    
1s 2s 2p
Note: Now we see that in the 2p sublevel, the
Example #6: Let’s take Oxygen (O), atomic # of 8. downward arrows are drawn once the upward arrows
have half-filled the 2p sublevel. You will use this
     method throughout all the elements electron
configurations.
1s 2s 2p

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 Write out the 2 electron configurations as well
as orbital configurations for the following
elements on the periodic table:
Na, Si, Ca

Na

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Si

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Ca

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Electron-Dot Diagrams (Lewis Structures )

Valence Electrons
The outermost principal energy level of an atom is important in regard to the way in which simple bonds are formed between atoms. The
valence electrons (outermost electrons) are the electrons which are lost and gained (a form of barter for atoms) when bonds (compounds
and molecules) are formed. This level is referred to as the valence level, and the electrons that occupy the valence level are known as
valence electrons.
• The number of valence electrons for any element is between one and eight.

Types of questions:
1. What is the valence level of sulfur (atomic number 16)?
The (valence) level occurs on the third level (3). [Ne] 3s23p4 ( 2–8–6 )

2. How many valence electrons does an atom of sulfur have?

6 valence electrons ([Ne] 3s23p4) ( 2–8–6 )

3. How are the valence electrons in sulfur arranged in sublevels?

Simply restate the valence level as: [Ne] 3s23p4

4. How are the valence electrons in sulfur arranged in orbitals?

  __ __
3s 3p

Electron-Dot Diagrams
Like life, even chemistry has its way in making simple concepts long and drawn out. Yet, here is another way to write electron
configurations, but this time we are focusing on the valence electrons.

 Electron–dot diagrams are used to view the orbital arrangement of valence electrons.
 To draw an electron-dot diagram (Lewis Dot Structure), we divide the atom into two parts.
 The first part is the kernel, which consists of the nucleus and the “non-valence,” inner electrons of the atom.
 The second part of the atom is its valence electrons.
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 or 2 - 8 - 2

nucleus + non-valence electrons valence electrons nucleus + non-valence electrons valence electrons
(kernel)  (kernel) 

Ex. Carbon would have a kernel that consists of the carbon nucleus and the 2 electrons in level 1.
The valence electrons are the remaining 4 electrons in level 2.

We will use this layout of a Lewis structure to understand it more clearly.

1 2 s
5 X 3 pz x px
8 6
7 4
py

 The symbol “x” represents a theoretical element. (brand x)

 You should recognize the sublevels “s” and “p” that are surrounding element “x”.
 If your confused, imagine that the representation above is merely the orbital setup,
only it is wrapping around the element in a clockwise fashion:
___ ___ ___ ___
s px py pz

 We are going to use the same filling technique as the orbital method.

Note- Some Electron Dot Symbols to the right are rotated 1 position clockwise 

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Write out the
(dashed) electron configuration and electron-dot symbol configurations for the Sb atom.

Electron configuration _________________________________________

Electron-Dot Symbol
Sb Write out the kernel _______________________________________

Valence Level = _______ # of Valence e- = _____

Write out the (dashed) electron configuration and electron-dot symbol configurations for the Cl atom.

Electron-Dot Symbol Electron configuration _________________________________________

Cl Write out the kernel _______________________________________

Valence Level = _______ # of Valence e- = _____

HOLD OFF ON THE NEXT PROBLEM

Write out the (dashed) electron configuration and electron-dot symbol configurations for the Cl +3 ion .

Electron-Dot Symbol Electron configuration _________________________________________

Cl Write out the kernel _______________________________________

Valence Level = _______ # of Valence e- = _____

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Notes (you copy from the class lecture) about the Periodic Table

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Ions

Positive (+) oxidation #’s = a LOSS of electrons

Negative (-) oxidation #’s = a GAIN of electrons

Al +3 I -1
# of electrons e-)
(10 (54 e-) # of electrons
electron config . 2–8 2-8-18-18-8 electron conf.
Same elec. Config as Ne Xe

What do you notice about Group 1,2, 16, 17, 18 elements?

Complete the Chart below using your knowledge of Ions.

Complete this sample below:

e- = 54-
#p = +
#e = -
_________________
P = 55+ SUM =
N = 780

Complete the shells above with the appropriate number for the dashed version of the electron configuration.

What is the identity of the sample above? __________

Write out the electron configuration for the sample above.______________________________________

What other element does this sample share its electron configuration with? ___________

Is this element now considered stable? _________ Why?________________________________

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Complete the “Hold-Off” problem on the bottom of page 13.

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 GROUND STATE / EXCITED STATE

GROUND STATE / EXCITED STATE (CONT’D)

ELECTRON CONFIGURATIONS
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ORBITALS _______________________________________
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ELECTRON DOT STRUCTURES

Electron Configs & Dot Structures

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ION QUESTIONS Chemistry: Ions and Subatomic Particles
Directions: Complete the following table.

Ion
Protons Electrons Charge
Symbol

S 2-

K 1+

Ba 2+

Fe 3+

Fe 2+

F 1-

O 2-

P 3-

Sn 4+

Sn 2+

N 3-

Br 1-

Mg 2+

Cu 1+

Use this space for questions 1 – 15 below.
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Cu 2+
U 6+
Mn 5+
Cl 1-
Se 2-
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Super Atomic Structure Mega Problem

How many Neutrons ___________

How many Protons __________

How many electrons _________

What is the nuclear charge __________

What is the net charge ___________

What is the dashed version of the electron configuration?

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What is the spdf version of the electron configuration?

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What is the pictorial version of the atom / electron configuration?

What is the orbital version of the electron configuration

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