UNIT 2 Electrons in Atoms - 2.1 Atomic Orbitals and Electronic Configuration

Department of Chemistry
2022 – 2023
Grade : AS Level
Unit 2 : Electrons in atoms

Sub unit 2.1 : Atomic Orbitals and Electronic
Configuration
Unit 3 : Electrons in an atom
Sub unit 3.1 : Atomic Orbitals and Electronic Configuration
OBJECTIVES
a) Describe the number and relative energies of the s, p and d orbitals for the principal
quantum numbers 1, 2 and 3 and also the 4s and 4p orbitals
b) Describe and sketch the shapes of s and p orbitals.
d) Understand the filling of shell using atomic number and various rules.
c) State the electronic configuration of atoms and ions given the proton (atomic) number
and charge, using the convention 1s22s22p6 , etc.
e) Predict the properties of an element in the periodic table.

KEYWORDS
Degenerate – in quantum mechanics to mean 'of equal energy. ' It usually refers to
electron energy levels or sublevels. The degeneracy of p orbitals is 3; the degeneracy of d
orbitals is 5; the degeneracy of f orbitals is 7.
Electronic Configuration – also called electronic structure, the arrangement of electrons

in energy levels around an atomic nucleus.
Energy levels – (also called electron shells) are fixed distances from the nucleus of an
atom where electrons may be found.
Momentum – Momentum is defined as the quantity of motion of the body. It is measured

by mass x velocity,
Orbital – a three dimensional path which describes where an electron is likely to be found
in an atom.
Principal Quantum Number – describes the energy of an orbital i.e., size of orbital (or
electron cloud).
Principal Quantum Shell or Orbit – The sets of orbitals with the same n value, where n
represents the relative overall energy of each orbital, i.e., fixed path along which electrons
revolve around the nucleus of the atom.
Subshells or Sublevels – A subshell is a subdivision of electron shells separated

by electron orbitals. Subshells are labelled s, p, d, and f in an electron configuration.
INTRODUCTION
THE BOHR ATOM
Ideas about the structure of the atom have changed over the years.
The Bohr theory thought
of it as a small nucleus of
protons and neutrons
surrounded by circulating
electrons.
Each shell or energy level could hold a maximum number of electrons.
The energy of levels became greater as they got further from the nucleus and electrons
filled energy levels in order.
The theory couldn’t explain

certain aspects of chemistry,
which were better explained
using
Quantum model of an atom.
CORE TOPIC - 1
Simple electronic structure
First shell, the closest to the nucleus, has the lowest energy level, holds up to 2
electrons.
Second shell, has higher energy level, holds up to 8 electrons.
Third shell can also

holds up to 8 electrons.
The further a shell is

from the nucleus, the
higher the energy level.
These principal energy levels or principal quantum shells (symbol “n”) are numbered
according to how far they are from the nucleus.
The lowest energy level, n = 1, is closest to

the nucleus,
the energy level n = 2 is further out,
and so on.
The arrangement of electrons in an atom

is called its electronic structure or
electronic configuration.
Electronic Energy levels or shells
Electrons move around the nucleus of an atom in definite energy levels or shells which
are identified by numbers called Principal Quantum Numbers, n.
: electrons are arranged in 4 shells ( 2, 8, 8, 1)

Energy sublevels or subshells
Energy levels are split into sublevels / subshells. ( labelled s, p, d, f )
(s – sharp ; p – principle ; d – diffused ; f – fundamental )

Electrons & Orbitals
Electrons are in constant motion.
Within each subshells, electrons can be found in certain regions known as orbitals.
An orbital is a region or volume of space within which there is a high probability of
finding an electron.
Each orbital can accommodate two electrons.
Relative energies of energy levels & sublevels
Maximum Number of Electrons in a Shell
Shell no. Maximum no. of electrons
n=1 2
n=2 2+6=8
n=3 2 + 6 + 10 = 18
n=4 2 + 6 + 10 + 14 = 32
General Formula = 2n2

Formative Assessment
1. Write the simple electronic configuration of the following atoms, showing the principal
quantum shells only:
a. S, (Z = 16) ; b. Mg, (Z = 12) ; c. F, (Z = 9)
d. K, (Z = 19 ; e. C, (Z = 6)
2. a. Name the three types of orbital present in the third principal
quantum shell.
b. State the maximum number of electrons that can be found in each
subshell of the third quantum shell.
CORE TOPIC - 2
Shapes of Orbitals – s orbital
Shape: spherical
size of s orbitals:
4s > 3s > 2s > 1s
Shapes of Orbitals – p orbital
• Shape : dumb-bell
• different axes of symmetry
• mutually perpendicular to one another
• orbitals(px, py, pz) with the same principal quantum number have the same
energy i.e. they are degenerate.
Shapes of Orbitals – d & f orbitals
Electron Configuration
HEISENBERG’S UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE
You cannot determine the position and momentum of an electron at the
same time.
https://youtu.be/8ROHpZ0A70I
THE AUFBAU PRINCIPLE
Electrons enter the lowest available energy level.
The order in which the orbitals are filled

with electrons is:
1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p,
6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p, and so on.
Note – it is not obeyed by the transitional elements

such as chromium and copper since half filled and
completely filled d-orbitals requires extra stabilities.
HUND’S RULE OF MAXIMUM MULTIPLICITY
When in orbitals of equal energy, electrons will try to remain
unpaired.
PAULI’S EXCLUSION PRINCIPLE
No two electrons can have the same four quantum numbers.
The arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom is called the electron
configuration of the atom.
It is represented using the following information:
1. The number of the principal quantum shell, n,

2. The letter that designates the orbital type, and
3. A superscript number that designates the number of electrons in that particular
subshell.
Electron Configurations
However, in an exam you should be prepared to write out the full electronic configuration.
Electronic configuration of potassium :1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1
Filling the 3d subshell (Scandium) : [Ar] 3d1 4s2
Chromium and copper :
Chromium - [Ar] 3d5 4s1 (rather than the expected [Ar] 3d4 4s2).
Copper - [Ar] 3d10 4s1 (rather than the expected [Ar] 3d9 4s2).
∵ 4s is below the 3d in terms of its energy. Thus electrons occupy the
orbitals with the lowest energy.
Gallium to krypton :
The electrons add to the 4p subshell because this is the next highest energy
level above the 3d.
The electron configurations of ions differ from their atom's configuration by
the number of electrons that have either been
added, for a negative ion,
1s22s22p6
Or removed, for a positive ion.
1s22s22p63s23p6
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. Use 1s2 notation to give the electronic configurations of the atoms with the following
atomic numbers: a. 16 b. 9 c. 20
2. Give the electronic configurations for the following elements:
a. vanadium (Z = 23) b. copper (Z = 29) c. selenium (Z = 34)
3. a. An element has the electronic configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p5.
i Which block in the Periodic Table does this element belong to?
ii Which group does it belong to?
iii Identify this element.
3. b. Which block in the Periodic Table does the element with the electronic configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5 4s1 belong to?
4. Write the simple electronic configuration of the following :
a. Al3+ (Z = 13) ; b. O2– (Z = 8) ; c. Fe3+ (Z = 26)
d. Cu2+ (Z = 29) ;e. Cu+(Z = 29)
SUMMARY
EXTENDED LEARNING
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Department of Chemistry

Unit 2 : Electrons in atoms

b) Describe and sketch the shapes of s and p orbitals.

e) Predict the properties of an element in the periodic table.

Electronic Configuration – also called electronic structure, the arrangement of electrons

Momentum – Momentum is defined as the quantity of motion of the body. It is measured

Subshells or Sublevels – A subshell is a subdivision of electron shells separated

The theory couldn’t explain

Third shell can also

The further a shell is

The lowest energy level, n = 1, is closest to

The arrangement of electrons in an atom

: electrons are arranged in 4 shells ( 2, 8, 8, 1)

(s – sharp ; p – principle ; d – diffused ; f – fundamental )

General Formula = 2n2

The order in which the orbitals are filled

Note – it is not obeyed by the transitional elements

It is represented using the following information:

1. The number of the principal quantum shell, n,

Or removed, for a positive ion.

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