Electronic Configuration

Summary

This chemistry class video explores the concept of electron configuration, starting with a quick review of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. It explains how electrons are arranged in an atom's orbitals, detailing the main energy levels and four sublevels (s, p, d, f) along with their maximum electron capacities. The lesson demonstrates how to use the periodic table to determine electron configurations, introduces rules for filling sublevels, and provides step-by-step examples for elements like aluminum, chromium, tin, and polonium. The video emphasizes practice and understanding the flow of electron arrangements, making it an engaging and practical guide for mastering electron configuration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The three subatomic particles of an atom are proton (positive, in nucleus), neutron (neutral, in nucleus), and electron (negative, outside nucleus).
• 😀 Electron configuration refers to the arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom.
• 😀 Main energy levels and sublevels are crucial for understanding electron configuration.
• 😀 There are four sublevels: s (2 electrons max), p (6 electrons max), d (10 electrons max), and f (14 electrons max).
• 😀 The periodic table is used to determine sublevels and electron configurations, with groups as vertical columns and periods as horizontal rows.
• 😀 The s sublevel is found in Groups 1A and 2A, including helium, while d sublevels are in transition metals, p sublevels in Groups 13–18, and f sublevels in the lanthanides and actinides.
• 😀 Electron filling follows rules: for d sublevels, subtract 1 from the main energy level; for f sublevels, subtract 2 from the main energy level.
• 😀 The general electron filling order follows the pattern: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6p⁶ 7s² 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7p⁶.
• 😀 Example configurations: Aluminum (Al) → 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹; Chromium (Cr) → 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d⁵; Tin (Sn) → 1s²…5p²; Polonium (Po) → 1s²…6p⁴.
• 😀 Practicing electron configurations and reviewing the periodic table patterns helps mastery, and additional drills are available for reinforcement.

Q & A

What are the three subatomic particles of an atom?

The three subatomic particles of an atom are protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Where is each of the subatomic particles located within the atom?

Protons and neutrons are located inside the nucleus of the atom, while electrons are found outside the nucleus, specifically in the orbitals.

What is the charge of protons, neutrons, and electrons?

Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge (neutral), and electrons have a negative charge.

What is electron configuration?

Electron configuration is the arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom.

What are the four sublevels of electron configuration, and how many electrons can each sublevel hold?

The four sublevels are s, p, d, and f. The s sublevel can hold 2 electrons, the p sublevel can hold 6 electrons, the d sublevel can hold 10 electrons, and the f sublevel can hold 14 electrons.

How do the vertical columns and horizontal rows in the periodic table relate to electron configuration?

The vertical columns represent the groups of elements, while the horizontal rows represent the periods. These are used to locate the sublevels and determine the electron configuration of elements.

How is the s sublevel represented in the periodic table?

The s sublevel is found in groups 1A and 2A of the periodic table, and it can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.

How do you determine the electron configuration of an element using the periodic table?

To determine the electron configuration, you start with the first energy level and follow the sublevels (s, p, d, f). The number of electrons is matched with the elements in the rows and columns of the periodic table.

What happens when you move past the d sublevel in electron configuration?

When you move past the d sublevel, you subtract 1 from the main energy level.

What rule applies when moving to the f sublevel in electron configuration?

When moving to the f sublevel, you subtract 2 from the main energy level.