A Lewis Structure For example, 

when two chlorine atoms

form a chlorine molecule, they share one
A Lewis Structure is a very simplified pair of electrons: The Lewis structure
representation of the valence shell electrons in a indicates that each Cl atom has three pairs
molecule. It is used to show how the electrons of electrons that are not used in bonding
are arranged around individual atoms in a (called lone pairs) and one shared pair of
molecule. Electrons are shown as "dots" or for electrons (written between the atoms).
bonding electrons as a line between the two
atoms. The goal is to obtain the "best" electron Electronic Configuration
configuration, i.e. the octet rule and formal
charges need to be satisfied. Electron configurations describe where
electrons are located around the nucleus of
Gilbert N. Lewis an atom. For example, the electron
The Lewis structure was named after Gilbert configuration of lithium, 1s²2s¹, tells us that
N. Lewis, who introduced it in his 1916 article lithium has two electrons in the 1s subshell
The Atom and the Molecule. Lewis structures and one electron in the 2s subshell.
extend the concept of the electron dot
diagram by adding lines between atoms to The electron configuration of an element
represent shared pairs in a chemical bond. describes how electrons are distributed in
its atomic orbitals. Electron configurations of
Lewis structure does NOT attempt to atoms follow a standard notation in which all
explain the geometry of molecules, how the electron-containing atomic subshells (with
bonds form, or how the electrons are the number of electrons they hold written in
shared between the atoms. It is the superscript) are placed in a sequence. For
simplest and most limited theory on example, the electron configuration of
sodium is 1s22s22p63s1.
electronic structure.
Electron Configurations are useful for:
Lewis structures, also known as Lewis-dot
diagrams, show the bonding relationship
between atoms of a molecule and the  Determining the valency of an
lone pairs of electrons in the molecule. element.
Lewis structures can also be useful in  Predicting the properties of a group
predicting molecular geometry in conjuntion of elements (elements with similar
with hybrid orbitals. electron configurations tend to
exhibit similar properties).
Lewis structures, also known as electron-  Interpreting atomic spectra.
dot or electron-dot diagrams, are
diagrams showing the bonding between a
The electron configuration of an
molecule's atoms and the lone pairs of
electrons that may occur in the molecule. atom is the representation of the
arrangement of electrons distributed
Lewis structures, also known as Lewis-dot among the orbital shells and
diagrams, show the bonding relationship subshells. Commonly, the electron
between atoms of a molecule and the
lone pairs of electrons in the molecule. configuration is used to describe the
Lewis structures can also be useful in orbitals of an atom in its ground
predicting molecular geometry in conjuntion state, but it can also be used to
with hybrid orbitals. represent an atom that has ionized
into a cation or anion by
compensating with the loss of or gain of electrons in their subsequent
orbitals. Many of the

physical and chemical properties of electronic configuration, also called

elements can be correlated to their electronic structure or electron
unique electron configurations. The configuration, the arrangement of
electrons in orbitals around an
valence electrons, electrons in the atomic nucleus.
outermost shell, are the determining
factor for the unique chemistry of the
element.

To find the electron configuration for an an element represents the period

ion, first identify the configuration for number.
the neutral atom. Then, add or
remove electrons depending on the
ion's charge. For example, to find the
Niels Bohr
configuration for the lithium ion (Li⁺), Electronic configuration
start with neutral lithium (1s²2s¹).
Niels Bohr developed an new
The electron configuration of an atom model in 1913 that explained the
is the distribution of electrons in the emission spectra of atoms. Larger
increasing order of energy of atomic radii correspond to higher energy
orbitals. It determines the number of levels. Electrons move in energy
valence electrons and the number of levels called shells. Electrons
shells present. The number of shells in
move around the nucleus in these
shells in pathways called orbitals

Before assigning the electrons of an As stated, the electron configuration of

atom into orbitals, one must become each element is unique to its position on
familiar with the basic concepts of the periodic table. The energy level is
electron configurations. Every element determined by the period and the
on the Periodic Table consists of atoms, number of electrons is given by the
which are composed of protons, atomic number of the element. Orbitals
neutrons, and electrons. Electrons on different energy levels are similar to
exhibit a negative charge and are found each other, but they occupy different
around the nucleus of the atom in areas in space. The 1s orbital and 2s
electron orbitals, defined as the volume orbital both have the characteristics of
of space in which the electron can be an s orbital (radial nodes, spherical
found within 95% probability. The four volume probabilities, can only hold two
different types of orbitals (s,p,d, and f) electrons, etc.) but, as they are found in
have different shapes, and one orbital different energy levels, they occupy
can hold a maximum of two electrons. different spaces around the nucleus.
The p, d, and f orbitals have different Each orbital can be represented by
sublevels, thus can hold more electrons. specific blocks on the periodic table. The
s-block is the region of the alkali the main group elements from Groups
metals including helium (Groups 1 & 2), 13 to 18, and the f-block are
the d-block are the transition the lanthanides and actinides series
metals (Groups 3 to 12), the p-block are

How to draw Lewis

Diagrams

The following is an example of how to draw

the "best" Lewis structure for NO 3- (learning
by example).

1. First determine the total number of

valence electrons in the molecule. N 5
This will be the sum of the group
0(X 3) 18
number a of all atoms plus the
charge Charge 1
24
2. Draw a skeletal structure for the until their octet is complete or
molecule which connects all you run out of electrons.
atoms using only single bonds.
The central atom will be the one
that can form the greatest
number of bonds and/or expand
its octet. This usually means the
atom lower and/or to the right in
the Periodic Table, N in this case. 4. If there are remaining electrons
they can be used to complete the
octet of the central atom. If you
have run out of electrons you are
required to use lone pairs of
electrons from a terminal atom to
3. Now we need to add lone pairs of
complete the octet on the central
electrons. Of the 24 valence
atom by forming multiple
electrons available in NO3-, 6 were
bond(s). In this case the N is
used to make the skeletal
short 2 electrons so we can use a
structure. Add lone pairs of
lone pair from the left most O
electrons on the terminal atoms
atom to form a double bond and
 complete the octet on the N
atom.

5. Now you need to determine

the FORMAL CHARGES for all of the
atoms. The formal charge is
calculated by: (group number of
atom) - (½ number of bonding
electrons) - (number of lone pair
electrons), i.e. see the figure below.

triple) bond to the atom with the +1

charge. Note: the octet can be
expanded beyond 8 electrons but
only for atoms in period 3 or below
in the periodic table. In our present
example N can not expand beyond 8
electrons so retains a formal charge
of +1, but the S atom below can
expand its octet.

No Lewis structure is complete without the

formal charges. In general you want:

 the fewest number of formal charges

possible, i.e. formal charges of 0 for
as many of the atoms in a structure 6. You have determined the "best"
as possible. Lewis structure (octets completed
and lowest formal charges) for NO 3-,
 the formal charges should match the
but there are a number of ways to
electronegativity of the atom, that is
show this structure. Although it is
negative charges should be on the
most common to use a line to
more electronegative atoms and
indicate a bonding pair of electrons
positive charges on the least
they can be shown as electrons, see
electronegative atoms if possible.
the left most image below. It is also
 Charges of -1 and +1 on adjacent common to show only the net
atoms can usually be removed by charge on the ion rather than all of
using a lone pair of electrons from the formal charges, i.e. see the right
the -1 atom to form a double (or most figure below.
 Why are there different ways for the "same"
Lewis structure? It depends what you want

to show. While the most complete structure We use Lewis symbols to describe valence
is more useful for the novice chemist, the electron configurations of atoms and
simplest is quicker to draw and still conveys monatomic ions. A Lewis symbol consists
the same information for the experienced of an elemental symbol surrounded by one
chemist. You should learn to recognize any dot for each of its valence electrons:
of the possible Lewis structures.

Figure 1 shows

the Lewis symbols for the elements of the third

period of the periodic tableFigure 1. Lewis
symbols illustrating the number of valence electrons
for each element in the third period of the periodic
table.
Likewise, they can be used to show the
Lewis symbols can also be used to illustrate the formation of anions from atoms, as shown here
formation of cations from atoms, as shown here for chlorine and sulfur
for sodium and calcium:
:

Figure 2 demonstrates the use of Lewis symbols

to show the transfer of electrons during the
formation of ionic compounds.

anions are formed by atoms gaining electrons. The

total number of electrons does not change.

WritingElectron
Configurations
Figure 2. Cations are formed when atoms lose
electrons, represented by fewer Lewis dots, whereas

When writing an electron configuration, first write Aluminum is in the 3rd period and it has an atomic
the energy level (the period), then the subshell to number of Z=13. If we look at the periodic table we
be filled and the superscript, which is the number of can see that its in the p-block as it is in group 13.
electrons in that subshell. The total number of Now we shall look at the orbitals it will fill: 1s, 2s, 2p,
electrons is the atomic number, Z. The rules above 3s, 3p. We know that aluminum completely fills the
allow one to write the electron configurations for all 1s, 2s, 2p, and 3s orbitals because mathematically
the elements in the periodic table. Three methods are this would be 2+2+6+2=12. The last electron is in
used to write electron configurations: the 3p orbital. Also another way of thinking about it is
that as you move from each orbital block, the
1. orbital diagrams subshells become filled as you complete each section
2. spdf notation of the orbital in the period. The block that the atom is
in (in the case for aluminum: 3p) is where we will
3. noble gas notation
count to get the number of electrons in the last
subshell (for aluminum this would be one electron
Each method has its own purpose and each has its because its the first element in the period 3 p-block).
own drawbacks. This gives the following:

Orbital Diagrams

An orbital diagram, like those shown above, is a visual

way to reconstruct the electron configuration by
showing each of the separate orbitals and the spins
on the electrons. This is done by first determining the
subshell (s,p,d, or f) then drawing in each electron
according to the stated rules above.
Note that in the orbital diagram, the two opposing
spins of the electron can be visualized. This is why it
Example 4: Aluminum and Iridium is sometimes useful to think about electron
configuration in terms of the diagram. However,

because it is the most time consuming method, it is

Write the electron configuration for aluminum and more common to write or see electron configurations
iridium. in spdf notation and noble gas notation. Another
example is the electron configuration of iridium:
SOLUTION
 are 2 elements in the s-block, and 10 elements in the
d-block. Moving across, simply count how many
elements fall in each block. Yttrium is the first
element in the fourth period d-block; thus there is
one electron in that energy level. To check the
answer, verify that the subscripts add up to the
atomic number. In this case,
2+2+6+2+6+2+10+6+2+1= 39 and Z=39, so the
answer is correct.

The electron configuration of iridium is much longer A slightly more complicated example is the electron
than aluminum. Although drawing out each orbital configuration of bismuth (symbolized Bi, with Z = 83).
may prove to be helpful in determining unpaired The periodic table gives the following electron
electrons, it is very time consuming and often not as configuration:
practical as the spdf notation, especially for atoms
with much longer configurations. Hund's rule is also 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p65s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 
followed, as each electron fills up each 5d orbital 5d10 6p3
before being forced to pair with another electron.
The reason why this electron configuration seems
spdf Notation more complex is that the f-block,
the Lanthanide series, is involved. Most students who
first learn electron configurations often have trouble
The most common way to describe electron
with configurations that must pass through the f-block
configurations is to write distributions in the spdf
because they often overlook this break in the table
notation. Although the distributions of electrons in
and skip that energy level. Its important to remember
each orbital are not as apparent as in the diagram,
that when passing the 5d and 6d energy levels that
the total number of electrons in each energy level is
one must pass through the f-
described by a superscript that follows the relating
block lanthanoid and actinoid series. Keeping this in
energy level. To write the electron configuration of an
mind, this "complex" problem is greatly simplified.
atom, identify the energy level of interest and write
the number of electrons in the energy level as its
superscript as follows: 1s2. This is the electron Another method (but less commonly used) of writing the spdf notation is the
expanded notation format. This is the same concept as before, except that each
configuration of helium; it denotes a full s orbital. The individual orbital is represented with a subscript. The p, d, and f orbitals have
periodic table is used as a reference to accurately different sublevels. The p orbitals are px, py, and pz,  and if represented on the
2p energy with full orbitals would look like: 2p x2 2py2 2pz2. The expanded notation
write the electron configurations of all atoms. for neon (Ne, Z=10) is written as follows:

Example 5: Yttrium 1s2 2s2 2px  2py2 2pz2

2

Write the electronic configuration of Yttrium. The individual orbitals are represented, but the spins
on the electrons are not; opposite spins are assumed.
SOLUTION When representing the configuration of an atom with
half filled orbitals, indicate the two half filled orbitals.
Start with the straightforward problem of finding the The expanded notation for carbon is written as
electron configuration of the element yttrium. As follows:
always, refer to the periodic table. The element
yttrium (symbolized Y) is a transition metal, found in 1s2 2s2 2px  2py 1
1

the fifth period and in Group 3. In total it has thirty-

nine electrons. Its electron configuration is as follows: Because this form of the spdf notation is not typically
used, it is not as important to dwell on this detail as it
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d1 is to understand how to use the general spdf
notation.
This is a much simpler and more efficient way to
portray electron configuration of an atom. A logical Noble Gas Notation
way of thinking about it is that all that is required is to
fill orbitals across a period and through orbital blocks. This brings up an interesting point about elements
The number of elements in each block is the same as and electron configurations. As the p subshell is filled
in the energy level it corresponds. For example, there in the above example about the Aufbau principle (the
trend from boron to neon), it reaches the group enough information to write the electron
commonly known as the noble gases. The noble configuration:
gases have the most stable electron configurations,
and are known for being relatively inert. All noble Vanadium, V: [Ar] 4s2 3d3
gases have their subshells filled and can be used
them as a shorthand way of writing electron
This method streamlines the process of distributing
configurations for subsequent atoms. This method of
electrons by showing the valence electrons, which
writing configurations is called the noble gas notation,
determine the chemical properties of atoms. In
in which the noble gas in the period above the
addition, when determining the number of unpaired
element that is being analyzed is used to denote the
electrons in an atom, this method allows quick
subshells that element has filled and after which the
visualization of the configurations of the valance
valence electrons (electrons filling orbitals in the outer
electrons. In the example above, there are a full s
most shells) are written. This looks slightly different
orbital and three half filled d orbitals.
from spdf notation, as the reference noble gas must
be indicated.
Orbital diagrams are pictorial descriptions of
Example 6: Vanadium the electrons in an atom. Three rules are
useful in forming orbital diagrams. According to
What is the electronic configuration of vanadium (V, the Auf Bau Principle, each electron occupies
Z=23)? the lowest energy orbital. The Pauli Exclusion
Principle says that only two electrons can fit into
SOLUTION an single orbital.

A molecular orbital diagram was discovered by

Vanadium is the transition metal in the fourth period
and the fifth group. The noble gas preceding it is scientists Robert. S. Mulliken and John
argon (Ar, Z=18), and knowing that vanadium has Lennard-Jones.
filled those orbitals before it, argon is used as the
reference noble gas. The noble gas in the In the valence bond (VB) theory, proposed in
configuration is denoted E, in brackets: [E]. To find large part by the American scientists Linus
the valance electrons that follow, subtract the atomic Pauling and John C. Slater, bonding is
numbers: 23 - 18 = 5. Instead of 23 electrons to accounted for in terms of hybridized orbitals of
distribute in orbitals, there are 5. Now there is the… The basis of VB theory is the Lewis
concept of the electron-pair bond.