Electron configuration Definition and 78 Threads

In atomic physics and quantum chemistry, the electron configuration is the distribution of electrons of an atom or molecule (or other physical structure) in atomic or molecular orbitals. For example, the electron configuration of the neon atom is 1s2 2s2 2p6, meaning that the 1s, 2s and 2p subshells are occupied by 2, 2 and 6 electrons respectively.
Electronic configurations describe each electron as moving independently in an orbital, in an average field created by all other orbitals. Mathematically, configurations are described by Slater determinants or configuration state functions.
According to the laws of quantum mechanics, for systems with only one electron, a level of energy is associated with each electron configuration and in certain conditions, electrons are able to move from one configuration to another by the emission or absorption of a quantum of energy, in the form of a photon.
Knowledge of the electron configuration of different atoms is useful in understanding the structure of the periodic table of elements. This is also useful for describing the chemical bonds that hold atoms together. In bulk materials, this same idea helps explain the peculiar properties of lasers and semiconductors.

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  1. S

    Wavefunction and Electron Configuration

    The wave function for a particular electron is given by: Psi= 4/(9√(4π)) * (6/a)^(3/2) * (r/a)^2 * e^(2i(phi) - (2r)/a) * sin^2 (θ) a) This is an electron in which subshell? b) This is an electron in an atom of which element? c) What is the ionozation energy for this electron, assuming...
  2. B

    Spectroscopic term of ground state electron configuration of Carbon atom

    The ground state electron configuration of Carbon atom is 1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{2} For the electrons, 1s^{2}2s^{2}, L=0, S=0 So only consider electrons of 2p^{2}, and s_{1}=s_{2}=1/2 ---> S=0,1 l_{1}=l_{2}=1 ---> L=0,1,2 For S=0, L=0; J=0, so we have ^{1}S_{0} For S=0, L=1; J=1, so...
  3. D

    Electron Configuration: Understanding and Calculating

    A quick question... When you have to decide the electron configuration for an atom you find the number of electrons in the shell as 2n^2 and the subshell by 2(2l+1). If I'm not mistaken "the shell" is the total electrons in an atom, right ? So for n = 1 it makes sense that there can be a...
  4. MysticDude

    More Stable Electron Configuration For Copper

    Homework Statement This isn't really a homework question, but it is part of a lecture powerpoint that the teacher will go through with on Monday and I was just getting ahead so I can understand better. [PLAIN]http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3088/cuelectronconfig.png Homework Equations...
  5. FeDeX_LaTeX

    Calculating Ion Charge (given Electron Configuration)

    Hello; My physics teacher told me that there was a way to calculate the ionic charge of a transition metal given its electronic configuration, but he did not tell me how, because it is 'too complicated'. I can't find any useful webpages on the subject, either... my teacher said that the...
  6. P

    Noble Gas Electron Configurations for Ions: Na+, H-, O2-

    Homework Statement state whether or not these ions have electron configurations of a noble gas: Na+, H-,O2- Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I said yes to all three. Because Na+ and O2- has electron configuration of Neon. H- has electron configuration of Helium...
  7. R

    Electron Configuration: Determine from Periodic Table

    Homework Statement Electron configuration 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1 Homework Equations How do i determine this from a periodic table The Attempt at a Solution i know the one in front of the S is the number of orbitals and the S signifies the group in the periodic table
  8. M

    Electron Configuration of Large Atoms

    I've read a good few different explanations and learned about electron configurations in school but I still don't understand how to write the electron configuration for a big atom like Copper. Heres how I would write it 1S2,2S2,2P6,3S2,3P6,3D... First off he told me 3D didn't even belong...
  9. J

    Write the electron configuration of Cd2+

    Write the electron configuration of Cd2+ Is It right if I write it like this 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1 3p^6 3d^10 4s^2 4p^6 5s^2 4d^10? Can anyone please correct me if it is wrong? Thank you very much!
  10. J

    What is the electron configuration for Gd?

    Homework Statement What is the electron configuration for Gd? Homework Equations None The Attempt at a Solution Since Gd has 64 electrons, I would assume that the electron config. is: [Xe]6s24f8 Apparently this is wrong. The hint the question gives is that the last two...
  11. L

    Which Quantum Numbers Are Not Possible for Arsenic?

    11. Which one of the following sets of quantum numbers (n, l, ml, ms) could not possibly describe one electron of an arsenic atom (Z = 33) in its ground state? (A) 2, 1, -1, 1/2 (B) 4, 2, 2, -1/2 (C) 3, 0, 0, -1/2 (D) 3, 2, -2, 1/2 (E) 4, 1, 0, 1/2 Solution: Electron configuration...
  12. Q

    How Do You Write the Electron Configuration for Iron?

    I just need to refresh my memory: When writing electron configurations for elements in the d block such as Iron (Fe), would you write it like this: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 4d6 OR like this: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 4p6 4d6
  13. T

    Electron Configuration Calculations

    Hello, I've been trying to learn about electron configuration in atoms, and how it is calculated. I pretty much figured out a lot of it from doing my own research. From what I understand, each group in the periodic table represents a different electron shell, and the blocks S, P, d, and F...
  14. L

    How Does Electron Configuration Change When Removing Electrons from Ca 2+?

    right in full notation, and core Full Ca 2+ = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4 Core Ca 2+ = [Ar] 4s2 - what happens when the 4s2 cancells out?
  15. B

    How Do You Write Electron Configurations for Ions?

    How would I write the configuration for ions? Would I alter the last subshell (e.g. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10: I change 3d10) or the shell with the n and l (1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10: I change 4s2)? Thanks.
  16. T

    Help me out with electron configuration. :[

    Homework Statement What is the atomic number if the electron config is 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p4.Homework Equations How do I solve for electron configurations using a periodic table?The Attempt at a Solution I don't really have any, I am studying for a mid-term and this is all stuff I barely...
  17. T

    Electron Configuration After Photoelectric Effect

    I'm not very well versed in the photoelectric effect, but as it happens, I found a brief description of it in my chem book. I'm really curious to know what really occurs to an atom's configuration right after its exposed to light. Let's say a photon hits a Zinc atom at threshold level and its...
  18. N

    Electron Configuration and energy levels

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Homework Statement The electrons of a nelectronically-excited neutral magnesium atom have the coniguration 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3p 3d. Provide spec notation for the possible quant states of the atom as a whole...
  19. M

    Understanding the Electron Configuration of Chromium: Explained [SOLVED]

    [SOLVED] Electron Configuration Something in chemistry really has me perplexed. We are doing electron configuration stuff. I think I have a fairly good grip on it after I was able to let go of the Bohr Model. My question is this. Chromium has 24 electrons which should fit into the first...
  20. S

    Use the periodic table to write the electron configuration of Gd

    Homework Statement Use the periodic table to write the electron configuration of Gd. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Gd has 64 electrons (atomic number 64) so I would assume that the configuration would be: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f8 5s2 5p6 6s2...
  21. U

    Electron configuration quantum numbers

    I need help with this problem :) Problem: Give the quantum numbers (n, l, ml, ms) for each electron in one neutral carbonatom in ground state. My solution: I look at a table to get the electron configuration and for a carbonatom i get 1S^2 2s^2 2p^2 For s n=1, l=0, ml=0, ms=+-1/2...
  22. A

    Why are d Electrons Less Effective in Shielding Nuclear Charge?

    Why are the d electrons less effective in shielding the nuclear charge than the s or p electrons, and are thus more polarizing?
  23. A

    Why do electron configurations differ for elements with Z<20 and Z>90?

    why is the electron configuration different for Z<20 and Z>90?
  24. Mk

    Orbital Diagrams and Electron Configuration Notations

    I used to understand this -- a few years ago -- but it has completely slipped my mind. What is going on with al this 1s2 and Like Cs[Xe]6s1? Thanks a lot, Mk
  25. S

    Electron Config: Same for O, Ne, Mg (2+); Ni, Zn (2+); Hg, Tl+, Pb (2+)

    Which of the following three sets consist of atoms or ions with the same electron configuration in the ground state? I. O (2-), Ne, and Mg (2+) II. Ni, Cu+, Zn 2+ III. Hg, Tl+, and Pb (2+) a. all but (II) b. all but (I) c. all three sets d. only (I) Is it all but ii. because Cu...
  26. D

    Electron Configuration principles

    Which principle or rule must be used to determine the correct electronic configuration for carbon in its ground state? a.Aufbau Principle b. Hund's Rule c. Pauli Exclusion Principle d. (A) and (B) only e. All three I know for a fact that Aufbau's and Hunds rule deal with ground state...
  27. P

    How to determine electron configuration

    -how would one predict electron configuration of an atom? (ex.Rb- [Ar]4s^2, 3d^10, 4p^6) ...How, help please
  28. A

    Normal electron configuration Ethyne

    This is a multiple choice question with the shown triple bond between the two carbons: I've narrowed it down to 2 diagrams a) .. C :: C b) C : : : C is it a). Please tell me if it's right. Thanks
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