Question
Question: What are some examples of electronic configuration?...
What are some examples of electronic configuration?
Solution
The distribution of electrons in an element's atomic orbitals is defined by its electron configuration. Atomic electron configurations follow a standard notation in which all electron-containing atomic subshells are arranged in a series (with the number of electrons they possess written in superscript).
Complete step by step answer:
Electronic configuration of any atom is done on the basis of the number of electrons present in it. The principal quantum number determines the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in a shell (n). The shell number is expressed by the formula 2n2 , where n is the number of shells.
The azimuthal quantum number (abbreviated as ‘l') determines the subshells into which electrons are spread. The value of the principal quantum number, n, determines the value of this quantum number. As a result, when n=4 , four separate subshells are possible. When n=4 is used. The s, p, d, and f subshells are named after the l=0 , l=1 , l=2 , and l=3 subshells, respectively. The formula 2∗(2l+1) gives the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated by a subshell. As a result, the s, p, d, and f subshells can each hold a maximum of 2 , 6 , 10 , or 14 electrons.
The electrons are filled in the subshell under Aufbau’s Principle which states that lower orbitals will be filled first. The order in which the electrons are filled in the subshells are listed below -
Let’s take some examples and see their electronic configuration –
Helium: Since the atomic number of helium is 2 , it has 2 electrons in its ground state. According to Aufbau principle, firstly 1s will be filled.
The electronic configuration of Helium is discussed below –
1s2
Chlorine: Since, the atomic number of Chlorine is 17 , it has 17 electrons in its ground state. Firstly 2 electrons will be filled in 1s subshell, then 2 electrons will be filled in 2s subshell, then 6 electrons will be filled in 2p subshell and it continues.
The electronic configuration of Chlorine is discussed below –
1s2,2s2,2p6,3s2,3p5
Tantalum: Since the atomic number of Tantalum is 73 , it has 73 electrons in its ground state. The electronic configuration of Tantalum is discussed below –
1s22s22p63s23p64s23d104p65s24d105p66s24f145d3
Note:
Electron configurations can be used to determine an element's valency, predict the properties of a group of elements (elements with identical electron configurations appear to exhibit similar properties), and interpret atomic spectra.