Electron Configuration

Energy level = n

  • n = 1, n = 2, n = 3, and n = 4
  • the most broad range in referring to electron location

Sublevels (subshells) = s, p, d, and f

  • s can hold 2 electrons
  • p can hold 6 electrons
  • d can hold 10 electrons
  • f can hold 14 electrons
  • sublevels/subshells are found inside energy levels

Orbitals = combination of the electronā€™s energy level and subshell

  • 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 3d, 4s, 4p, 4d, 4f, 5s, 5p, 5d, 5f, 6s, 6p, 6d, 7s, 7p
  • most specific way of referring to electron location

Electron spin - a property of electrons

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Electron configuration follows a specific order

  • up arrows first
  • If there is a completely empty box, that is the one that is prioritized to be filled. You would only put another arrow in an already occupied box if all the other boxes are occupied. Leftmost boxes are prioritized.
  • 6f, 7d, and 7f aren't used because no atoms have been discovered yet that use them.

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EXAMPLE Electron Configurations

Oxygen (8 electrons)

1sĀ²2sĀ²2pā“

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