Electron Configuration and Periodic Table

The Electron Configuration
• The electron configuration of an atom is the representation of the

arrangement of electrons distributed among the orbital shells
and subshells.
• Commonly, the electron configuration is used to describe the
orbitals of an atom in its ground state, but it can also be used to
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 elements can be
correlated to their unique electron configurations. The valence
electrons, electrons in the outermost shell, are the determining
factor for the unique chemistry of the element.
• Every element on the Periodic Table consists of atoms, which are
composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• Electrons exhibit a negative charge and are found around the
nucleus of the atom in electron orbitals, defined as the volume
of space in which the electron can be found within 95%
probability.
• The four different types of orbitals (s,p,d, and f) have different
shapes, and one orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons.
• The p, d, and f orbitals have different sublevels, thus can hold
more electrons.
• The energy level is determined by the period and the number of
electrons is given by the atomic number of the element.
• Orbitals on different energy levels are similar to each other, but
they occupy different areas in space.
• The 1s orbital and 2s orbital both have the characteristics of an s
orbital (radial nodes, spherical volume probabilities, can only
hold two electrons, etc.) but, as they are found in different
energy levels, they occupy different spaces around the nucleus.
Rules for Assigning Electron Orbitals
Occupation of Orbitals
Electrons fill orbitals in a way to minimize the energy of the atom. Therefore,
the electrons in an atom fill the principal energy levels in order of increasing
energy (the electrons are getting farther from the nucleus). The order of levels
filled looks like this:
One way to remember this pattern, probably the easiest, is to refer
to the periodic table and remember where each orbital block falls
to logically deduce this pattern. Another way is to make a table like
the one below and use vertical lines to determine which subshells
correspond with each other.
R E M E M B E R!
• The s sublevel can hold 2 electrons
• The p sublevel can hold 6 electrons
• The d sublevel can hold 10 electrons
• The f sublevel can hold 14 electrons
• The electrons in the highest-numbered shell, plus any
electrons in the last unfilled subshell, are called valence
electrons
• The highest-numbered shell is called the valence shell.
• The inner electrons are called core electrons.
The Periodic Table
• The periodic table orders elements by increasing atomic number, which
is the number of protons in the atom of an element.
• The rows of the periodic table are called periods. All elements within a
period share the same highest electron energy level.
• The columns of the periodic table are called groups. All elements in a
group share the same number of valence electrons.
• The three broad categories of elements are metals, nonmetals, and

metalloids. Most elements are metals. Nonmetals are located on the
right hand side of the periodic table. Metalloids have properties of both
metals and nonmetals.
3 Main Parts of the Periodic Table
The periodic table lists the chemical elements in order
of increasing atomic number, which is the number of
protons in each atom of an element. The shape of the
table and way the elements are arranged has significance.
1. Metals
Metals properties include:
• metallic luster
• high electrical and thermal conductivity
• usual hard solids (mercury is liquid)
• usually ductile (capable of being drawn into a wire) and
malleable (capable of being hammered into thin sheets)
• most have high melting points
• readily lose electrons (low electron affinity)
• low ionization energies
The two rows of elements below the body of the periodic
table are metals. Specifically, they are a collection of
transition metals that are called the lanthanides and
actinides or the rare earth metals. These elements are
located below the table because there wasn't a practical
way to insert them into the transition metal section
without making the table look strange.
2. Metalloids (or Semimetals)
There is a zig-zag line toward the right side of the periodic
table that acts as a sort of border between metals and
nonmetals. Elements on either side of this line exhibit some
properties of metals and some of the nonmetals. These
elements are the metalloids, also called semimetals.
Metalloids have variable properties, but often:
• metalloids have multiple forms or allotropes
• can be made to conduct electricity under special
conditions (semiconductors)
3. Nonmetals
The elements on the right-hand side of the periodic table
are the nonmetals. Nonmetals properties are:
• usually poor conductors of heat and electricity
• often liquids or gases at room temperature and pressure
• lack metallic luster
• readily gain electrons (high electron affinity)
• high ionization energy
Periods and Groups in the Periodic Table
• Element Groups
Groups are the columns of the table. Atoms of elements
within a group have the same number of valence electrons.
These elements share many similar properties and tend to
act the same way as each other in chemical reactions.
• Element Periods
The rows in the periodic table are called periods. Atoms of
these elements all share the same highest electron energy
level.
Chemical Bonding To Form Compounds
• Ionic Bonds
Ionic bonds form between atoms with very different electronegativity
values. Ionic compounds form crystal lattices containing positively charged
cation and negatively-charged anions. Ionic bonds form between metals
and nonmetals. Because ions are fixed in place in a lattice, ionic solids
don't conduct electricity. However, the charged particles move freely when
ionic compounds are dissolved in water, forming conductive electrolytes.
• Covalent Bonds
Atoms share electrons in covalent bonds. This type of bond forms between
nonmetal atoms. Remember hydrogen is also considered a nonmetal, so its
compounds formed with other nonmetals have covalent bonds.
Chemical Bonding To Form Compounds
• Metallic Bonds
Metals also bond to other metals to share valence
electrons in what becomes an electron sea surrounding
all the affected atoms. Atoms of different metals form
alloys, which have distinct properties from their
component elements. Because the electrons can move
freely, metals readily conduct electricity.

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The Electron Configuration

• The electron configuration of an atom is the representation of the

• The three broad categories of elements are metals, nonmetals, and

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