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Electron Configurations
• An electron configuration is a representation of the distribution of all
electrons in an atom.
Example:
Theme 2.4 • It consist of:
Electron Configurations a) Number denoting the energy level
(principal quantum number, 𝑛).
4p5
Elements, Ions, Exceptions, Magnetism
b) Letter denoting the type of orbital
(angular momentum quantum number).
c) Superscript denoting the number of electrons in those orbitals.
Textbook: Chapter 7.1 -74
Dr Sifiso Nsibande
Multi-electron systems
Single-electron systems: Rules for Writing Electron Configurations
1. Aufbau Principle 7p
• Sub-shells in the same energy level are not 6d
• All orbitals in an energy level
degenerate. (That is, the orbitals with same 𝑛-values (e.g., 𝟐𝒔 & • Electrons reside in orbitals of lowest possible 5f
(i.e. same value of 𝒏) have the 7s
𝟐𝒑) have different energies) energy.
same energy. 6p
• This is due to repulsive forces between the electrons. • Orbitals are filled by electrons in order from
• We say they are degenerate. 5d
lowest energy level to highest energy level. 4f
6s
• The net charge experienced by a
5p
particular electron in multi-electron
• Orbital energy is 4d
systems is called the Effective nuclear determined by both 𝒏 and 5s
charge (𝒁𝒆𝒇𝒇 ). 𝒍 value. 4p
• If (𝒏 + 𝒍) is equal, or
• This results from a balance of the increases with 𝒏.
3d
attractive force of nucleus & the 4s
repulsive forces of other electrons. 3p
• Electrons in multi-electron atoms 3s
2p
experience the 𝒁𝒆𝒇𝒇 in the following
2s
order: 1s
𝒏𝒔 > 𝒏𝒑 > 𝒏𝒅 > 𝒏𝒇
1𝑠, 2𝑠, 2𝑝, 3𝑠, 3𝑝, 4𝑠, 3𝑑, 4𝑝, 5𝑠, 4𝑑, 5𝑝, 6𝑠, 4𝑓, 5𝑑, 6𝑝, 7𝑠, 5𝑓, 6𝑑, 7𝑝
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2. Hund’s Rule 3. Pauli’s Exclusion Principle The periodic table can be used as an “Aufbau diagram” GUIDE!
• Electrons in the same sublevel/subshell • No two electrons in an atom can have the
occupy empty orbitals first before they same set of four quantum numbers.
pair up. • Each orbital can only have a maximum of 2
electrons. (∴ they must have opposite 𝒎𝒔 values).
• The most stable arrangement for
electrons in orbitals of equal energy
(degenerate/subshell) is where the
number of electrons with the same spin
is maximized.”
Energy Diagrams
All you need is a Periodic Table!
• Arrows (or half-arrows is some textbooks) used to represent the electrons.
• Each box represents one orbital.
• The direction of the arrow represents the spin (+ or − ) of the electrons.
s
1 1s p 1s
• Always indicate the energy direction!
2 2s 2p
3 3s d (n-1) 3p
Example 3: Lithium atom Example 2: Oxygen atom
4
E
4s 3d 4p 𝒔𝒑𝒅𝒇- configuration notation: 𝒔𝒑𝒅𝒇- configuration notation:
𝟏𝒔𝟐 𝟐𝒔𝟏
5 5s 4d 5p
6 6s 5d 6p
7 7s 6d 7p
6 4f
f (n-2) 7 5f
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Example: 8 Diamagnetism and Paramagnetism
Write the electron configuration for oxygen in both spdf notation and short-hand notations. O
Draw its orbital energy diagram. 15.9994
Solution: Diamagnetic
Paramagnetic
Orbital energy diagram for Oxygen: • Elements in which all electrons are
• Elements with un-paired electrons
O has 8 electrons paired.
• They are attracted to by a magnetic
• They experience a slight repulsion when
field.
Electron configuration: subjected to a magnetic fields.
2p
1s2 2s2 2p4 spdf-notation Example: Example:
Energy 2s
[He] 2s2 2p4 Short-hand notation 1s
Examples:
Short-hand Configuration Electron Configuration of Ions
Cations spdf-notation Noble gas notation
• Core electrons: Go up one row and over to the Noble Gas. 𝑁𝑎 1s22s22p63s1 [Ne] 3s1
Remember: 𝑁𝑎 Na+: 1s22s22p6 [Ne]
• Valence electrons: On the next row, fill in the number of electrons in each sublevel. • Cations: Loose electrons 𝐶𝑎 1s22s22p63s23p64s2 [Ar] 4s2
Example: • Anions: Gain electron 𝐶𝑎 1s22s22p63s23p6 [Ar]
Example:
Draw an orbital energy box diagram for the following
Sulfur S has 16 electrons elements to show their electron configuration in each cases: Note:
• 𝑵𝒂 is “iso-electronic” to 𝑵𝒆, meaning it has “the same number
• Full (𝑠𝑝𝑑𝑓) configuration: of electrons as Ne”
• 𝑪𝒂𝟐 is isoelectronic to Ar.
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4 1) Sulphur For each, also give the:
2) Selenium • Full electron notation (𝑠𝑝𝑑𝑓 notation) Anion spdf-notation Noble gas notation
• Noble gas (condensed or short-hand) notation. Order of removing electrons (for cations):
3) Potassium 𝐹 1s22s22p5
Core Electrons Valence Electrons 4) Iron • Valence level 𝑛-value
5) Copper 𝐹 1s22s22p6 (gained 1𝑒 )
• Number of valence electrons 1. Valence 𝑝-electrons
6) Chromium • State whether it’s a para / diamagnetic atom? 𝑆 1s22s22p63s23p4 [Ne] 3s23p4
2. Valence 𝑠-electrons
• Short-hand configuration: 𝑆 1s22s22p63s23p6 [Ne] 3s23p6 (gained 2𝑒 )
3. Then (𝑛 − 1)𝑑-electrons
[Ne] 3s2 3p4
Note: 𝑭 is isoelectronic to 𝑁𝑒 and 𝑁𝑎 and 𝑂 , N3-,
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Transition Metal Cations: Exceptions to the Aufbau Principle
• The valence level is the level of “highest 𝒏-value” • A number of elements in the 𝒅 and 𝒇 block do not follow the Aufbau principle (order of filling electrons).
• The reasons for such cases is beyond the scope of CHM 171/2.
(and valence electrons are lost FIRST). • We will only look at two of such cases, copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr).
• This implies 4s electrons go first, then 3d electrons. • Other than the 2 exceptions, we will follow Aufbau principle in this module.
Examples: Complete the missing parts.
Metal Configuration Chromium (𝑪𝒓) Copper (𝑪𝒖):
Metal Configuration Predicted (Aufbau): [𝐴𝑟] 4s23d4 Predicted (Aufbau): [Ar] 4s23d9
𝐹𝑒 [Ar] 3d6 4s2
𝑊 [Xe] 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d⁴ Confirmed configuration: [𝐴𝑟]4s13d5 Confirmed configuration: [𝐴𝑟] 4s13d10
𝐹𝑒 [Ar]3d6
𝑊
𝐹𝑒 [Ar] 3d5 Reason: Reason:
𝑆𝑛 [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p² • Half-filled or completely filled 𝑑-orbitals are more • Half-filled or completely filled 𝑑-orbitals are more
stable than those with one electron less.
𝑆𝑛 stable than those with one electron less
𝑁𝑖 [Ar] 4s² 3d⁸ • Small energy gap between 4𝒔 and 3𝒅 orbitals, so
electrons can ‘hop’ around to attain stability • Small energy gap between 4𝒔 and 3𝒅 orbitals, so
𝑀𝑛 [Ar] 3d5 4s2
𝑁𝑖 electrons can ‘hop’ around to attain stability
𝑀𝑛
𝑀𝑛
𝑍𝑛 [Ar] 4s² 3d¹⁰
𝑀𝑛
𝑍𝑛
Example:
Using the periodic table, to complete the table below.
For each element, state the number of valence electrons and whether it is paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
Solution (not complete)
spdf-notation Condensed notation Number of Para- or
Practice!
(or short-hand notation) valance diamagnetic
(or noble gas configuration).
electrons
P 1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 𝑁𝑒 3𝑠 3𝑝
1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 4𝑠 3𝑑 𝐴𝑟 4𝑠 3𝑑
Co or
𝐴𝑟 3𝑑 4𝑠
All you need is a Periodic Table Te 𝐴𝑟 3𝑑 5𝑠 5 𝑝
𝑋𝑒 6𝑠 4𝑓 5𝑑 6𝑝
Bi Or
𝑋𝑒 4𝑓 5𝑑 6𝑠 6𝑝
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Practice Exercise:
Draw an orbital energy box diagram for the following elements to show their electron configuration in each cases:
Question 1:
1) Sulphur
Also give the:
• Full electron notation 2) Selenium
Is the element silicon ( 𝑆𝑖): [𝑵𝒆] 3s23p2 para- or diamagnetic?
• Noble gas (condensed or short-hand) notation. 3) Potassium
• Valence level n-value
4) Iron Question 2:
• Number of valence electrons
• State whether it’s a para / diamagnetic atom? 5) Copper Consider the following electron configuration: [𝑲𝒓] 5s2:
6) Chromium a) Is it a metal / non-metal?
b) In which Period do you expect this element to be?
𝐬𝐩𝐝𝐟- configuration Condensed/ or Number of Paramagnetic or c) In which Group?
shorthand or noble valance diamagnetic ? d) Which type of ion will form?
gas config. electrons ?
And the element [𝑨𝒓] 3d104s24p2?:
S 1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 𝑁𝑒 3𝑠 3𝑝
Se 1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 4𝑠 3𝑑 4𝑝 𝐴𝑟 4𝑠 3𝑑 4𝑝
Question 3
K 1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 4𝑠 𝐴𝑟 4𝑠
Give a set of quantum numbers for each of the valence electrons of arsenic. (Next slide)
Fe 1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 4𝑠 3𝑑 𝐴𝑟 4𝑠 3𝑑
Cu 1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 4𝑠 3𝑑 * 𝐴𝑟 4𝑠 3𝑑 Question 4
Cr 1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 4𝑠 3𝑑 ∗ 𝐴𝑟 4𝑠 3𝑑 Using the periodic table, write condensed electron configurations for
( a) phosphorus (b) cobalt (c) tellurium (d) bismuth.
1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 4𝑠 3𝑑 4𝑝 5𝑠 4𝑑 ** 𝐑𝐧 𝟕𝐬 𝟐 𝟓𝐟 𝟒
U 5𝑝 6𝑠 4𝑓 5𝑑 6𝑝 7𝑠 5𝑓 this is another exception (5f-6d mixing occurs),
not covered in CHM171/2!)
For each element, state the number of valence electrons and whether it is paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
Question 2
Question 5
a) Give the orbital energy diagram as well as the spdf-electron
In the ground state of mercury
configuration for the chromium atom in the ground state.
(a) How many electrons occupy orbitals with n = 3?
(b) How many electrons occupy d-orbitals? 𝐶𝑟: 1𝑠 2𝑠 2𝑝 3𝑠 3𝑝 4𝑠 3𝑑
(c) How many electrons occupy 𝒑𝒛 atomic orbitals?
b) Give full sets of quantum numbers for any two electrons in the highest
(d) How many electrons have spin “up” (ms = +½)
energy subshell.
𝑒1: 𝑛 = 3, 𝑙 = 2, 𝑚 = 0, 𝑚 = +
𝑒2: 𝑛 = 3, 𝑙 = 2, 𝑚 = 0, 𝑚 = −
Question 6 c) If electrons in this subshell (referred to in b) are excited by absorbing
Give a set of quantum numbers for each of the valence electrons of arsenic. photons, and a 10-line spectrum is observed, to which subshell were
the electrons excited?
𝒆𝟏: 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 0, 𝑚 = 0, 𝑚 = +
Solution:
There are 𝒆𝟐: 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 0, 𝑚 = 0, 𝑚 = − Question 4 𝐻𝑔: 𝑋𝑒 4𝑓 5𝑑 6𝑠
As: [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p³ or 𝐻𝑔: 𝑋𝑒 6𝑠 4𝑓 5𝑑
5 valence In the ground state of mercury
electrons 𝒆𝟑: 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 1, 𝑚 = −1, 𝑚 = + (a) How many electrons occupy orbitals with n = 3?
(b) How many electrons occupy d-orbitals? 𝐻𝑔: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d 5p 6s 4f 5𝑑
𝒆𝟒: 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 1, 𝑚 = 0, 𝑚 = + (c) How many electrons occupy pz atomic orbitals?
𝟏
(d) How many electrons have spin “up” (𝒎𝒔 = + )
𝒆𝟓: 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 1, 𝑚 = +1, 𝑚 = + 𝟐
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Question 5
a) Show the ground state electron distribution for the element indium (𝑰𝒏) by Question 7
means of an energy orbital diagram. Clearly label each subshell. a) Show the electron distribution for the element bismuth (𝑩𝒊) by means of an energy
b) Assign 4 quantum numbers to each valence electron. orbital diagram. Clearly label each subshell.
+
c) Write the noble gas notation of 𝑰𝒏𝟑 ion. b) Write the complete spdf-electron configuration for 𝑩𝒊.
c) Why does bismuth belong in the same Group as nitrogen?
In: 𝐾𝑟 5𝑠 4𝑑 5𝑝
In3+: 𝐾𝑟 4𝑑
Question 8
Consider the given spdf-electron configuration for an element:
Question 6 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d10
a) Write sets of 4 quantum numbers for each of the valence electrons in a 𝑴𝒏 atom. What will the spdf-electron configuration of the stable cation be?
b) Write sets of 4 quantum numbers for each unpaired electron in a 𝑴𝒏 atom.
c) Write sets of 4 quantum numbers for each of the valence electrons in a 𝑴𝒏𝟒 ion.
Review
Which of the following has the biggest amount of unpaired electrons (largest degree of paramagnetism)?
Cr3+ , Cu2+ , Co3+ of Ni2+
Review and check
Which of the following has the biggest amount of unpaired electrons (largest
degree of paramagnetism)?
𝑪𝒓𝟑 , 𝑪𝒖𝟐 , 𝑪𝒐𝟑 of 𝑵𝒊𝟐