Electron Configuration

Bohr understood the electrons inhabited the

extranuclear space arranged in energy levels. We
have seen that his model was refined by
Schrodinger.
Quantum Mechanical Model of an Atom
Based on the wave properties of electrons
Electrons were similar to standing waves

 Electrons in an atom are arranged in energy level

(shells)
The maximum number of electrons in each main
energy level is given by 2n2 where n is the number of
the main energy level
Sub-level
s
p
d
f
The Maximum
main energy
levels are
up into
number
2 divided
6
10
14 sub-levels
(sub-shells)
of electrons

Aufbau Principle
Electrons are placed in the lowest energy levels first

Pauli Exclusion rule

The maximum number of electrons
in an orbital is 2
Each box above represents an
orbital
Arrows pointing up or down
represent
Hunds
rule electrons spinning in
opposite directions
When filling p, d or f orbitals, one
electron is placed in each orbital
before pairing electrons up to
minimize repulsion between them

 Note that after 3p is filled, 4s is filled not

3d. When ions are formed, electrons are
lost from 4s first as a filled 3d pushes 4s
further out. an abbreviated electron
Sometimes
configuration is used where the inner
electrons are represented by [Ar] which
accounts for the first 18 electrons. The rest
of the electron configuration is as normal

Co

 Copper and chromium are exceptions to the

rule as they have only 1 electron in the 4s sub
level before the 3d level is filled

To understand why this occurs, it is important to

realize that...
1. Completely filled sublevels are more stable
than partially filled sublevels.
2. A sublevel which is exactly half filled is more
stable than a partially filled sublevel which is
not half full.
3. Electrons are lazy and will do whatever places
them in the lowest energy state = which is the
most stable
state
In both examples, an electron moves from the 4s
sublevel to produce a 1/2 full 3d (Cr) or
completely filled 3d (Cu). This gives the atom
greater stability so the change is favorable.