Electronic Configuration

Electronic configuration

The arrangement of electrons in the energy levels, shells and subshells of an atom

Energy level/Electron shell

A fixed amount of energy than an electron can have while orbiting an atom’s nucleus

Sublevel/Subshell

Subdivision of the main energy level which consists of one or more orbitals of the same energy

Atomic orbital

Area of space in which electrons are most likely to be found

S orbital

Spherical, holds 2 electrons, only 1 within s subshell

P orbital

Dumbbell-shaped, holds 6 electrons, 3 within p subshell

D orbitals

Complex, clover-shaped, holds 2 electrons, 5 within d orbitalD

Degenerate orbital

Electron orbitals that have the exact same energy level e.g. 3 p orbitals

Hund’s Rule

Electrons fill equal energy orbitals singly before with parallel spins before they pair up

Pauli Exclusion’s Principle

Each electron in an atom must have opposite spins while paired in an orbital

Quantum numbers

Set of numerical values that describe the state, energy, shape , orientation and spin of an electron within an atom

Aufbau Principle

Electrons fill atomic orbitals of the lowest energy level first before occupying higher energy levels

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons giving it a net electrical charge