What is the Relation between electron configurations and orbital diagrams?

Answer 1

The Question will be broken down into small pieces for those who don't have a strong chemistry background.

Definitions:Valence electron: is the number of electrons on the outer shell of an element.

Electron Configuration: is the arrangement of electrons in an atom, molecule, or other physical structure.

To Determine the Number of Valence Electrons: we look at the Periodic Table(see Periodic Table) to get a general idea. Elements that contain:

1 valence electron falls under Group 1

2 valence electrons falls under Group 2

3 valence electrons falls under Group 13

4 valence electrons falls under Group 14

5 valence electrons falls under Group 15

6 valence electrons falls under Group 16

7 valence electrons falls under Group 17

8 valence electrons falls under Group 18

Note: Elements from Group 3-12 fall under a special category

To Determine Electron configuration: We go back to the Periodic table but instead look at the Electron configuration(see Electron Configuration) We noticed that each element falls under a "block". The blocks consists of either a: S block, P block, D block, and F block. This is used to help determine the electron notation of a particular element. An example of a notation for He(Helium) is as follows:

1S2

Where....

The coefficient( the number before the letter): is the sub-block of the four main "spdf" blocks. Each sub-block is considered a different "shell"

The "spdf" block(the letter): is which of the four main "blocks" of the Periodic table

The Subscript(the number below the letter): is the place within the "shell".

The order of which we write the configuration depends on where that block appears in the periodic table. We follow the Atomic number starting from 1 and working your way up till the element you wanted the notation for. Once a shells (the Subscript) is filled(S's fill with 2, P's is 6, D's are 10, and F's with 14) then you shift to the next shell.

Example: Beryllium (Be)

1S2 2S1

When you go to another shell you still add the previous shells and continue to the next one. The order of which the shells fill up is as follows: 1S, 2S, 2P, 3S, 3P, 4S, 3D, 4P, 5S, 4D, 5P, 6S, 5D1, 4F, 5D2-10, 6P, 7S, 6D1, 5F, 6D2-10.

Now that the order is established now we can determine the relationship between the two.

As the valence electrons fills the outer shell, it also fills the subsequent shells in the electron configuration. Each Valence electron helps to fill up the Electron configuration shells and the valence electrons helps to determine which shell to fill up. There's a more scientific term that i don't know about but if anyone can add on to this that would be great since I'm just starting in Chemisrty.

Answer 2

Um, I'm not really positive about the correct answer but i hope this makes sense

The electron configuratios of atoms tell us the number of electrons in the outer energy level, the valence shell electrons. The oxidation numbers are derived from the number of valence shell electrons.

For example, If the valence shell has 3 valence electrons, then we could figure out that the oxidation numbers have to be 3+ or 5- because we know that if we take away 3 electrons or add 5 electrons, the atom would reach an octet.

Sorry if i didn't help much

this is the best i could do

To whoever pested the question: Hope I helped even a little.

Sushmitha

Answer 3

usuallyl from group 1A to 2A are the S-Orbitals. Between Group 2A and 3A ( which is the transition metals) are the D-Orbitals. Group 3A to 8A are the P-Orbitals. and last of all the rare earth metals are the F-Orbitals.

Answer 4

The purpose of a diagram of the orbitals is just so you can visualise the space they take up around the nucleus. They aren't helpful beyond that really. Each orbital will hold two electrons - so two in the sphere of the s orbitals, two each in each lobe of the figure of eight p orbitals making 6 total. This information is summarised more clearly and useably if you write 1s2, 2s2 etc or draw electrons-in-boxes diagrams. Electrons-in-boxes are very helpful for seeing where the bonding electrons should fit in, eg if you draw one out for chlorine you will see you have one empty space in your final box which is where the bonding electron would slot in from (for example) hydrogen to form HCl.

Answer 5

do you mean by saying oxidation number for atoms that have electron configuration?

Answer 6

The principal quantum number - n- describes the energy level. An example would be electrons at 2p^6 are at the energy level represented by n=z

Answer 7

The principle quantum number indicates the main energy levels surrounding a nucleus. The electron configuration is the arrangement of electrons in atoms.

Answer 8

The atomic number is equal to the number of electrons - for a neutral atom.

Answer 9

the atomic number is equal to the number of electrons for neutral atom