Electronic Configurations and Quantum Numbers

Flashcards covering key concepts related to electronic configurations and quantum numbers in chemistry.

Pauli's Exclusion Principle

No two electrons can occupy the same orbital and spin in the same direction.

Aufbau Principle

Electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals before filling higher ones.

Hund's Rule

Electrons must occupy every orbital singly before pairing up.

Orbital Diagram

A representation that shows the distribution of electrons in atomic orbitals.

Electron Configuration

A notation that describes the arrangement of electrons in an atom.

Shorthand Electron Configuration

A method of writing electron configuration using a noble gas as a reference.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed by losing electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed by gaining electrons.

Paramagnetism

A property of a substance that has unpaired electrons and is attracted to magnetic fields.

Diamagnetism

A property of a substance where all electrons are paired and it is not attracted to a magnetic field.

Quantum Numbers

A set of numbers that describe the unique quantum state of an electron in an atom.

Principal Quantum Number (n)

Indicates the main energy level of an electron.

Angular Momentum Quantum Number (l)

Determines the shape of the orbital.

Magnetic Quantum Number (m_l)

Specifies the orientation of an orbital.

Spin Quantum Number (m_s)

Indicates the spin direction of an electron, with values of +1/2 or -1/2.

Electron Configuration Exception

Certain elements like chromium and copper have unusual electron configurations due to stability differences.

Orbital Filling Order

The order in which orbitals are filled with electrons, typically starting from the lowest energy level.

Energy Sublevel

Different energy levels within a principal energy level where electrons reside.

Rare Earth Metals

F block elements that include lanthanides and actinides, often exhibiting complex electron configurations.

Electron Promotion

The process in which an electron is raised to a higher energy orbital to achieve stability.