Question

The general electronic configuration of $f$ block elements is________.

Answer 1

We must know about the periodic table and the electronic configuration of different elements. Electronic configuration is the distribution of electrons into orbitals. Electronic configuration follows certain rules which helps us categorize into the respective blocks. The s-block and p-block together are usually considered main-group elements, the d-block corresponds to the transition metals, and the f-block encompasses nearly all of the lanthanides and the actinides.

Complete answer:
As we know that there are certain rules which should be followed before writing the electronic configuration of elements:
Electrons in an atom are characterized by a set of four quantum numbers and the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in a shell (energy level) is based on principal quantum number ($n$).
The maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in a shell is calculated by the formula $2{n^2}$ where the shell number. When $n = 1$ , the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated are $2 \times {\left( 1 \right)^2} = 2$ .
The subshells into which electrons are distributed are based on the azimuthal quantum number, denoted by ‘l’. When $n = 4$ the subshells correspond to $l = 0$ , $l = 1$ , $l = 2$ , $l = 3$ and are named the $s,{\text{ }}p,{\text{ }}d,$ and $f$ subshells respectively.
The maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated by a subshell is given by the formula $2 \times \left( {2l + 1} \right)$ . So $s,{\text{ }}p,{\text{ }}d$ and $f$ subshells can accommodate $2,6,10$ and $14$ electrons respectively.
Thus, the general electronic outer configuration of the f−block elements is: $(n - 2){f^{1 - 14}}(n - 1){d^{0 - 10}}n{s^2}$ .

Note:
We must be noted that the purpose of general electronic configuration is that it is impossible to remember the electronic configuration of higher elements. Not just the $f$ block, the general electronic configuration is written for $s,{\text{ }}p,{\text{ }}d$ block elements as well. The general electronic configuration of $s$block elements is $n{s^{1 - 2}}$ ; $p$ block elements is $n{s^2}n{p^{1 - 6}}$ ; and that of $d$ block $(n - 1){d^{1 - 10}}n{s^{0 - 2}}$ .