KEY PILLARS OF MODERN ELECTRONIC THEORY:

1) Electron Configuration: Unlike their classical counterparts, electrons in modern

theory don't orbit the nucleus in neatly defined circles. Instead, they occupy
"orbitals," probability clouds where they're most likely to be found. These orbitals
differ in energy levels and shapes, giving rise to the concept of electron
configuration, which dictates the arrangement of electrons in an atom.
2) Quantum Numbers: To describe the location and state of an electron in an
orbital, we use four quantum numbers:
a. Principal quantum number (n): Defines the energy level of the orbital.
b. Angular momentum quantum number (l): Determines the orbital shape (s,
p, d, f).
c. Magnetic quantum number (m_l): Specifies the orientation of the orbital in
space.
d. Spin quantum number (m_s): Represents the electron's intrinsic spin (up
or down).
3) Pauli Exclusion Principle: This fundamental principle states that no two electrons
in an atom can have the same set of all four quantum numbers. This principle
governs how electrons fill orbitals and influences the periodic table arrangement.
4) Hund's Rule: This rule dictates that when filling orbitals of the same energy level,
electrons first occupy orbitals with the same spin (both up or both down) before
pairing up with opposite spins. This maximizes the spin multiplicity, leading to a
more stable configuration.

The Quartet of Quantum Numbers:

1) Principal Quantum Number (n): Defines the electron's energy level or shell
(designated as 1, 2, 3.). Higher n implies greater energy and distance from the
nucleus.
2) Azimuthal Quantum Number (l): Determines the electron's orbital shape (s, p, d,
f). Values of l depend on n (from 0 to n-1). Spherical s orbitals, dumbbell-shaped
p orbitals, and more complex d and f orbitals emerge from different l values.
3) Magnetic Quantum Number (m_l): Specifies the electron's orientation in space
within a sublevel (p, d, f). Values of m_l range from -l to +l, defining specific sub-
orbitals within each main orbital.
4) Spin Quantum Number (m_s): Represents the electron's intrinsic spin (up or
down), like a tiny spinning axis. Each orbital can
accommodate two electrons with opposite spins, adhering
to the Pauli Exclusion Principle.
Energy Orbita Sub L, mi ms Max e Orb Max Total E in
level l level orbital -l ≤ ml ± 1/2 in Enegy electron n energy
0≤ l ≤l suborbi desg in orb
n ≥n-1 tal
1 s 1s 0 0 ± 1/2 2 1s 2 2
s 2s 0 0 ± 1/2 2 2s 2
2 p 2px 1 -1 ± 1/2 2 2p 6
2py 1 0 ± 1/2 2 8
2pz 1 +1 ± 1/2 2
s 3s 0 0 ± 1/2 2 3s 2
p 3px 1 -1 ± 1/2 2 3p
3py 1 0 ± 1/2 2 6
3 3pz 1 +1 ± 1/2 2 18
3dxy 2 -2 ± 1/2 2 3d
4s
d 4p 10
3dyz 2 -1 ± 1/2 2
3dxz 2 0 ± 1/2 2
3dx2-y2 2 +1 ± 1/2 2
3dz2 2 +2 ± 1/2 2
s 1s 0 0 ± 1/2 2 2
p 4px 1 -1 ± 1/2 2
4py 1 0 ± 1/2 2 6
4pz 1 +1 ± 1/2 2 18
4 4dxy 2 -2 ± 1/2 2 4d 10
4dyz 2 -1 ± 1/2 2
d 4dxz 2 0 ± 1/2
4dx2-y2 2 +1 ± 1/2
4dz2 2 +2 ± 1/2
FILLING ELECTRONS INTO ATOMS ATOMIC NUMBER OF ELEMENTS AND

ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION OF FIRST TWENTY ELEMENTS IN THE PERIODIC

TABLE

1. Hydrogen (H):
1s ↑
2. Helium (He):
1s ↑↓
3. Lithium (Li):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑
4. Beryllium (Be):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓
5. Boron (B):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑
6. Carbon (C):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓
7. Nitrogen (N):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑
8. Oxygen (O):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑
9. Fluorine (F):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓
10. Neon (Ne):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓
11. Sodium (Na):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑
12. Magnesium (Mg):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑↓
13. Aluminum (Al):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑↓ 3p ↑
14. Silicon (Si):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑↓ 3p ↑↓
15. Phosphorus (P):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑↓ 3p ↑↓ ↑
16. Sulfur (S):
 1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑↓ 3p ↑↓ ↑↓
17. Chlorine (Cl):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑↓ 3p ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑
18. Argon (Ar):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑↓ 3p ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑
19. Potassium (K):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑↓ 3p ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ 4s ↑
20. Calcium (Ca):
1s ↑↓ 2s ↑↓ 2p ↑↓ ↑↓ 3s ↑↓ 3p ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑ 4s ↑↓

Objective Questions on Modern Electronic Theory of Atoms:

1. Which of the following statements BEST describes the location of electrons in atoms
according to modern electronic theory?

a) Electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed paths like planets around the sun. b) Electrons
exist in probability clouds surrounding the nucleus with varying degrees of likelihood. c)
Electrons occupy specific energy levels around the nucleus but their exact position is
unpredictable. d) The location of electrons is completely uncertain and can never be
determined.

2. The principal quantum number (n) in an atomic orbital refers to: (Choose TWO)

a) The shape of the orbital. b) The spin of the electron occupying the orbital. c) The
orientation of the orbital in space. d) The energy level of the orbital. e) The number of
electrons an orbital can hold.

3. Which of the following orbital shapes DOES NOT correspond to a p orbital?

a) Dumbbell b) Figure-eight c) Cloverleaf d) Sphere

4. The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that:

a) Only electrons with the same spin can occupy the same orbital. b) No two electrons
in an atom can have the same set of all four quantum numbers. c) An orbital can hold a
maximum of two electrons with opposite spins. d) Electrons tend to fill lower energy
levels before occupying higher ones.

5. Which of the following is NOT a consequence of modern electronic theory?

a) Development of the periodic table based on electronic configurations. b) Explanation

of different types of chemical bonding based on electron sharing. c) Visualization of
molecular structures using molecular orbital theory. d) Prediction of electron behavior in
reactions and excited states.

6. What is the hybridization of the central carbon atom in methane (CH₄)?

a) sp b) sp² c) sp³ d) Not hybridized

7. In a nitrogen atom (N), how many electrons are present in the 2p orbitals?

a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3

8. The emission of light from an atom occurs when:

a) An electron absorbs energy and moves to a higher energy level. b) An electron loses
energy and falls back to a lower energy level. c) Electrons change their spin states
within the same orbital. d) The nucleus undergoes a change in its energy state.

9. Which of the following elements is likely to be the most reactive due to its electronic
configuration?

a) Neon (Ne) b) Magnesium (Mg) c) Chlorine (Cl) d) Argon (Ar)

10. An important assumption in modern electronic theory is:

a) Electrons behave like miniature classical particles. b) The laws of physics are not
applicable at the atomic level. c) Energy is quantized, meaning it exists in discrete
packets. d) The behavior of electrons is completely random and unpredictable.

Multiple Choice Questions on Electron Configuration and Quantum Numbers:

1. The principal quantum number (n) defines:
(a) The shape of the electron orbital.
(b) The energy level of the electron.
(c) The spin of the electron.
(d) The magnetic field of the electron.
2. Which statement is TRUE about the angular momentum quantum number (l)?
(a) It can have any positive integer value.
(b) It determines the number of orbitals in a shell.
(c) It cannot exceed the value of n.
(d) It specifies the electron's orientation in space.
3. The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that:
(a) Only one electron can occupy an orbital at a time.
(b) Two electrons in the same orbital must have the same spin.
(c) Electrons are attracted to the proton with equal force.
(d) The energy of an electron decreases as it gets closer to the nucleus.
4. Hund's Rule states that:
(a) Electrons should fill lower energy orbitals first.
(b) Electrons in the same subshell should have parallel spins.
(c) Electrons should pair up before occupying new orbitals.
(d) The total spin of an atom is always zero.
5. The electronic configuration of helium is:
(a) 1s2
(b) 1s2e-
(c) 2s1
(d) He
6. Which element has the electronic configuration 1s22s22p63s2?
(a) Hydrogen
(b) Helium
(c) Oxygen
(d) Magnesium
7. Which group of elements has all outermost orbitals filled in their ground state?
(a) Group 1 - Alkali metals
(b) Group 17 - Halogens
(c) Group 18 - Noble gases
(d) Group 14 - Carbon group
8. An element with an atomic number of 15 will have:
(a) 5 filled principal energy levels.
(b) 3 electrons in its outermost shell.
(c) a spin quantum number of +1/2.
(d) the symbol Na.
9. Which element is most likely to form an ionic bond?
(a) Lithium (Li)
(b) Boron (B)
(c) Nitrogen (N)
(d) Neon (Ne)
10. The first ionization energy of an element is related to:
(a) The number of neutrons in the nucleus.
(b) The average distance of electrons from the nucleus.
(c) The total number of electrons in the atom.
(d) The stability of the electron configuration.