Structure of atoms
(Part 1)
Learning Outcome :
Write, using subshell
notation, the electron
configuration of an atom
or monatomic ion of any
of the first 38 elements in
periodic table.
Identify
the s, p, d and f block
elements in the periodic table.
Atoms are composed of pieces like neutrons, electrons, and protons.
The protons and neutrons are found in the
center of the atom called the nucleus.
The electrons are found in shells outside
the nucleus.
Nucleus
Electron
Protons
&
Neutrons
Shell/ Orbit
Energy level
Atom consists of electrons
orbiting around a nucleus.
However, the electrons cannot
choose any orbit they wish.
They are restricted to orbits with
only certain energies.
Electrons can jump from one energy
level to another, but they can never
have orbits with energies other than
the allowed energy levels.
Hence, energy level is the principle
quantum number that determines
the shell in which an electron is
present.
Itis usually denoted by n and can
have any whole number value such
as: n = 1, 2, 3, 4 ..
Ifn = 1, the energy level is closest to the
nucleus and as the value of n increases,
the distance of the energy level from the
nucleus increases. This quantum number
also determines the energy of the shell.
An increase in n also means that the
electron has a higher energy and is
therefore less tightly bound to the nucleus.
Atomic Orbitals
The orbital names (s, p, d, f) are
derived from the characteristics of
their spectroscopic lines:
s = sharp
p = principal
d = diffuse
f = fundamental
Type of houses
s-
house (orbital) p-house
(orbital)
d-house (orbital) f-house
(orbital)
Each orbital contains a number of sub-
orbitals.
The number of sub-orbitals depends on the
type of orbital.
Type of Orbital Number of sub-orbitals
s 1
p 3
d 5
f 7
Type of houses
s-
house (orbital) p-house
(orbital) 1 room 3 room
(sub- (sub-
orbital) orbital)
Max : 2 Max : 6
d-house (orbital)
5 room f-house
(orbital) (sub-
orbital)
7 room
(sub-
Max : 10 orbital)
Max : 14
1st Shell 2nd Shell
(max: 2) (max: 8)
Address : 1s Address : 2s
Address : 2p
3rd shell (max : 18)
Address : 3s
Address : 3p
Address: 3d
4th Shell (max: 32)
Address : 4s Address : 4d
Address: 4p Address : 4f
Electron Configuration
Shell
is a space where electrons are most
probably found
Each shell consists of a number of
subshells labeled s, p, d, or f.
Shell number Orbitals Maximum number
(n) of electrons (2n2)
1 1s 2
2 2s, 2p 8
3 3s, 3p, 3d 18
4 4s, 4p, 4d, 4f 32
Orbitals
The various sub-levels or orbitals
are also designated by letters s,
p, d, f
1 s2
2 s2 p6
3 s2 p6 d10
4 s2 p6 d10 f14
Relative energies of orbitals
Subshell of the second shell (2s &
2p) are both higher in energy than
the single subshell (1s) of the first
shell.
All three subshells of the third shell
(3s, 3p, and 3d) have higher energy
than the second shell.
The 4s subshell of the forth shell has
lower energy than the 3d subshell.
Therefore, electrons fill the lower
energy 4s before the 3d.
AUFBAU Principle
Example
The next electron to enter orbital 1s
must
have a spin opposite to the spin of
the
electron.
Learning Outcome :
Relate
the electron configuration of any
atom to its position in the periodic table.
Why periodic table is
so important ?
What is the big deal?
s orbital
SO (2 electrons)
PRETTY p orbital
(6 electrons)
DELIGHTFUL d orbital
(10 electrons)
F O R E V E R A N D- E V E f orbital
(14 electrons)
R
p orbitals d orbitals
p orbitals
S orbital
s orbital
s orbital
s orbital f
orbitals
p orbitals d orbitals
Electron configuration is intimately
related to the structure of the periodic
table.
The chemical properties of an atom are
largely determined by the arrangement
of the electrons in its outermost
"valence" shell
Thereforeelements in the same table
group are chemically similar because
they contain the same number of
"valence" electrons.
Question
Write the electron configuration of nitrogen.
State its position in the periodic table.
Explain its position in the periodic table.
Answer
Nitrogen -7
State its position in the periodic table.
Group V and Period 2
Explain its position in the periodic table.
Group V the highest occupied shell
has 5 electrons.
Period 2 the highest occupied shell
is second shell.
Explain its position in the
periodic table
Chromium (24)
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5 4s1
Transition Element group (d-block):
because it has partially filled orbital
d5s1
Period 4: because the outermost
shell with electron is 4
Nitrogen (7)
1s2 2s2 2p3
Group V : because the outermost electron configurations
is s2p3
Period 2: because the outermost shell with electron is 2
Potassium (19)
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1
Group I : because the outermost electron configurations
is s1
Period 4: because the outermost shell with electron is 4
Vanadium (23)
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2
Transition Element group (d-block): because it has
partially filled orbital d3 s2
Period 4: because the outermost shell with electron is 4
Zinc (30)
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2
Transition Element group (d-block): because the
outermost electron configurations is d 10s2 ( it has fully
filled orbital 3d)
Period 4: because the outermost shell with electron is 4
