IB Chemistry: Electron Configuration Study Guide
Based on Presentation by Dr. Asmaa Asar
1. Understanding Electron Behavior
Electrons exist in discrete energy levels around the nucleus. When electrons gain energy,
they move to higher levels (excited state). When they return to a lower level, they emit
photons, producing an emission spectrum. Evidence for these discrete levels comes from
the line emission spectrum of hydrogen, where the lines converge at higher energy levels.
2. The Electromagnetic Spectrum
All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light (3 × 10■ m/s). Wavelength (λ) is the
distance between wave crests; frequency (ν) is the number of waves per second. They are
inversely related: c = λν. Energy (E) is directly proportional to frequency: E = hν. Thus,
high frequency = short wavelength = high energy.
3. Emission Line Spectrum
A continuous spectrum shows all visible wavelengths, while an emission line spectrum
shows specific wavelengths (colored lines on a black background). In hydrogen, lines
converge at higher energies (blue/violet end), indicating discrete electron energy levels.
4. Bohr Model of the Atom
Electrons occupy quantized energy levels denoted by n. The lowest energy level (n = 1) is
closest to the nucleus. As n increases, energy and distance from the nucleus increase, but
energy levels become closer together. When electrons move between levels, photons of
specific energy are absorbed or emitted.
5. Hydrogen Emission Spectrum
Electrons falling to n=2 emit visible light. Transitions to n=1 emit ultraviolet light (high
energy, short wavelength), and to n=3 emit infrared light (low energy, long wavelength).
6. Energy Levels and Sublevels
Each main energy level n can hold a maximum of 2n² electrons. These levels split into
sublevels: s, p, d, f — containing 1, 3, 5, and 7 orbitals respectively, each orbital holding
up to two electrons with opposite spins.
7. Atomic Orbitals and Shapes
Orbitals represent regions of high probability where electrons are found. According to
Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, the exact position of an electron cannot be known.
Shapes: s (spherical), p (dumbbell-shaped), d (complex/clover), f (more complex).
8. Electron Configuration Principles
1. Aufbau Principle: Electrons fill lowest energy orbitals first. 2. Hund’s Rule: Electrons
occupy orbitals singly before pairing. 3. Pauli Exclusion Principle: No two electrons can
have the same four quantum numbers.
Common Exceptions
Chromium (Cr): [Ar] 4s¹ 3d■ and Copper (Cu): [Ar] 4s¹ 3d¹■, as half-filled and fully filled
d orbitals are more stable.
9. Condensed Configurations
Use noble gas shorthand: Phosphorus (P): [Ne] 3s² 3p³, Iron (Fe): [Ar] 4s² 3d■.
10. Ion Formation (Transition Metals)
When forming ions, transition metals lose 4s electrons before 3d electrons. Mn²■ = [Ar]
3d■, Fe³■ = [Ar] 3d■, Cu■ = [Ar] 3d¹■, Cu²■ = [Ar] 3d■.
11. Ionization Energy
Ionization is the removal of an electron from a gaseous atom. The energy required
depends on nuclear charge and distance of the electron from the nucleus. Hydrogen
ionization corresponds to transition from n=1 to n=∞.
12. Trends in Ionization Energy
Across a period, IE increases (more protons, smaller atoms). Down a group, IE decreases
(more shielding, larger distance). Electrons in p orbitals are easier to remove than those in
s orbitals.
13. Calculating Ionization Energy
At the convergence limit, the electron is completely removed. Use E = hν and multiply by
Avogadro’s number to convert to kJ mol■¹.
14. Successive Ionization Energies
Each successive electron removal requires more energy due to increasing positive charge.
A large jump in IE indicates a new inner energy level. Example: Aluminum shows a big
jump after the third IE → Group 13.
■ Practice Questions
1. Explain why transitions to n=1 occur in the UV region. 2. Which transition in hydrogen
emits red light? 3. Write the condensed electron configuration for Cu²■. 4. Why does
ionization energy increase across a period? 5. From successive IE data, how can you
identify an element’s group?
■ Answers
1. They involve large energy changes (short wavelength, high frequency). 2. n=3 → n=2
transition. 3. [Ar] 3d■. 4. Because nuclear charge increases and atomic radius decreases.
5. A big jump indicates electrons are being removed from a new inner shell (valence =
group number).