electronic_configuration

Electronic Configuration

The distribution of electrons in an atom or ion, often represented by a series of numbers and letters that indicate energy levels and subshells.

Principal Energy Level

The main energy levels in an atom, denoted by the quantum number n, where n=1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

Orbitals

Regions in an atom where there is a high probability of finding electrons; each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.

Subshells

Divisions of electron orbitals that contain specific number of orbitals, categorized as s, p, d, and f.

Electron Filling Order

The sequence in which electrons occupy orbitals, starting from the lowest energy orbital first.

Energy Level Diagram

A visual representation of the arrangement of electrons in an atom, showing the principal energy levels and subshells.

Ion Electronic Configuration

The electronic configuration of an ion which shows how electrons are arranged in the ion compared to the neutral atom.

Hund's Rule

A principle that states that electrons will occupy degenerate orbitals singly before pairing up. Electrons will occupy degenerate orbitals singly first, to maximize total spin.

Hund’s Rule

Orbital Diagrams

Visual representations of electron configurations showing the distribution of electrons in orbitals.