Electron Configuration and

Lewis Dot Structures

Unit 5

Atomic Orbitals
Energy levels (shells) = n
n = 1, 2, 3.etc.
The higher the energy level, the farther away from the nucleus

Sublevels
Designated by s, p, d, f
Refers to the shape (s) of the area in which the electron can be
located
Also designates an energy level within the shell
Represents the region in space where the electron is most likely
to be show 90% probability
Cloud is more dense where probability of finding an e - is high
Where are the e- within each sublevel?
We dont know! Cant determine the exact position of an e- in an
atom

Atomic Orbitals cont.

Denoted by letters indicate
shape
s orbitals sphere shaped
Can accommodate 2 electrons

p orbitals dumbbell shaped

Can accommodate 6 electrons

d orbitals more complex; flower

shaped or double dumbbells
Can accommodate 10 electrons

f orbitals even more complex;

wont cover shapes
Can accommodate 14 electrons

Relative energy: s < p < d < f

s subshell: spherical
1 orbital

p subshell: pair of lobes

Electron Configurations
Def: the ways in which electrons are
arranged around the nucleus of an atom
Show the approximate location of
electrons
Represent in which orbitals electrons are
located

Electron Configurations cont.

Aufbau Principle
Electron configuration determined since
electrons tend to be in lowest energy orbitals.
Rules:
The Aufbau principle (building up) guides us in
the filling of orbitals:
Fill lowest energies first.
Maximum of two electrons with opposite spins in each
orbital. (Paulis Exclusion Principle)
Degenerate orbitals (orbitals with same energy) follow
Hunds rule

Electron Configurations cont.

Hunds Rule
Hunds rule: If two or more orbitals have
the same energy, fill each orbital with one
electron before pairing electrons.

Periodic Table and Electron

Configurations
Build-up order given by position on periodic table; row by
row.
Elements in same column will have the same outer shell
electron configuration.

Electron Configurations cont.

1st shell has 1 subshell (s)
Holds maximum of 2 electrons

energy

1s

1s
Hydrogen
1 s1

Helium
1 s2

Electron Configuration cont.

Electron Configuration for Li (Z=3)

2s

2p

2s

1s

2nd shell
1s

Li
Li

1s 2s
2

Electronic configuration

Orbital Energy Level Diagram

Electron Configuration cont.

Electron Configuration for Boron (Z = 5)

2p

2s

2nd shell

2nd shell

1s

1s
2s
Be

1s

2p
2s

Be

2p

2s

1s 2s
2

B 1s22s22p1
B

1s

D Subshell
x

xy

xz

yz

x y

2- 2

z2

Examples
Fill according to the Energy Level Diagram
Ex:
C
1s22s22p2

Ne
1s22s22p6

Na
1s22s22p63s1

Short Hand
(Nobel Gas) Notation
Show electron filling starting from previous noble
gas.
Know how electron configurations work on the
periodic table.
Ex P: [Ne] 3s23p3
Your Turn:

N
Mg
Ca
Cu

Electron Dot Diagrams

(aka Lewis Dot Structures)
How do we draw a picture for the number of
electrons an atom has?
If you want to see how atoms of one element will
react, it is handy to have an easier way to
represent the atoms and the electrons in their
outer energy levels.
You can do this with electron dot diagrams.
An electric dot diagram is the symbol for the
element surrounded by as many dots as there
are electrons in its outer energy level.

How to Write E.D.D.s

The dots are written in pairs on four sides
of the element symbol.
Start by writing one dot on the top of the
element symbol, then work your way
around adding dots to the right, bottom,
and left.

How to Write E.D.D.s

Add a fifth dot to the top to make a pair.
Continue in this manner until you reach
eight dots to complete the level.

QUESTION
The _______ an energy level is from the
nucleus, the _______ electrons it can
hold.
A. closer, more
B. closer, less

C. farther, less
D. farther, more

ANSWER
The answer is D. The farthest shells
contain the greatest number of electrons.