Theme 3

Atomic Theory

Atom
Atomic Models
Subatomic particles

Dalton Rutherford
Proton Neutron Electron
Thompson Bohr

Atomic Mass size Schrödinger

Number

Reactivity Quantum Numbers

n l ml ms
 FROM CLASSICAL PHYSICS
THE ATOMICTOTHEORY
QUANTUM THEORY
OF MATTER

The model of classical physics did not explain the stability of molecules
(the forces that maintain the atoms bonded within the molecule).

Some discoveries pointed at that the

properties of the atoms and
molecules (microscopic) aren´t
governed by same physics laws that
govern bigger objects (macroscopic).

In particular, according to classical

physics, an electrically charged
particle (e.g. an electron in
Rutherford’s atomic model)
moving in a circular path would
eventually lose its energy
(irradiation), so that it would
spiral into the nucleus.
 FROM CLASSICAL PHYSICS
THE ATOMICTOTHEORY
QUANTUM THEORY
OF MATTER

Much of our present understanding of the electronic structure of atoms

has come from analysis of the light either emitted or absorbed by
substances.

The visible light, is one type of

electromagnetic radiation. Because
electromagnetic radiation carries energy
through space, it is also known as radiant
energy.

Different types  They all share certain

fundamental characteristics

All have wavelike characteristics similar

to those of waves that move through
water.
 FROM CLASSICAL PHYSICS
THE ATOMICTOTHEORY
QUANTUM THEORY
OF MATTER

Electromagnetic Radiation
There are many kinds of waves, such as water waves, sound waves, and
light waves.

Maxwell proposed that visible light consists of electromagnetic waves.

An electromagnetic wave has an electric field component and a magnetic

field component.
 FROM CLASSICAL PHYSICS
THE ATOMICTOTHEORY
QUANTUM THEORY
OF MATTER

Electromagnetic Radiation
The range of frequencies and wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation is
called the electromagnetic spectrum.
 FROM CLASSICAL PHYSICS
THE ATOMICTOTHEORY
QUANTUM THEORY
OF MATTER

ONDAS

𝝂𝝀 = 𝒄
c = 3*108 m/s

Wavelength λ (lambda) is the

distance between identical
points on successive waves.

The frequency ν (nu) is the number of waves that

pass through a particular point in 1 second.

Amplitude is the vertical distance from the midline

of a wave to the peak or trough.
FROM CLASSICAL PHYSICS TO QUANTUM THEORY

Wavelength λ
↓
Distance between peaks

𝟏 𝟏
𝝀𝑨 = 𝝀𝑩 = 𝝀𝑪
𝟐 𝟒

Frequency ν
↓
Cycles (waves) per second

𝝂𝑨 = 𝟐𝝂𝑩 = 𝟒𝝂𝑪
FROM CLASSICAL PHYSICS
THE ATOMICTOTHEORY
QUANTUM THEORY
OF MATTER

When the wavelength

is reduced by a factor
of two, the frequency
increases by a factor of
two.
 FROM CLASSICAL PHYSICS
THE ATOMICTOTHEORY
QUANTUM THEORY
OF MATTER

Example:
What is the wavelength of blue light with a frequency of 6.4 × 1014/s?

ν = 6.4 × 1014/s o Hz c = ν λ so
c = 3.00 × 108 m/s λ = c/ν

m 8
3.00 x 10
c s
λ 
ν 6.4 x 1014 1
s

λ= 4.7 × 10-7 m
 BLACK BODY RADIATION

It had been known that heated solids (also called black bodies)
emitted radiation in all wavelengths (e.g. light bulb).

It had been observed that the intensity of the emitted radiation

depended on the wavelength (l).

This finding could not be explained by classical wave theory nor

by conventional thermodynamics.

Thungsten light bulb,

emits visible radiation
while heated
 BLACK BODY RADIATION

Black body: Body that emits and absorbs

radiation of all wavelengths
Intensity I (arb. Units)

Wavelength l (mm)

Description of the black body by classical physics:

The black body can absorb or emit any amount of energy independent of the
temperature
8𝜋𝑘𝐵 𝑇
Rayleigh-Jeans law: d𝜀 = 𝜌𝑑𝜆 𝜌=
𝜆4
good approximation for big l

Problem: lim 𝜌 𝜆 = ∞ “ultraviolet catastrophe”

𝜆→0
 THE PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

Binding energy of the

emitted electron
Photon
E=h Ekin = h - 
(Package of energy) Work function ()

e-
e- e- metal

Ekin = h -  but also from classical mechanics: Ekin =1/2mv2

 BOHR’S THEORY OF HYDROGEN ATOM

Emission Spectra
Newton showed that sunlight is composed of various
color components that can be recombined to produce
white light
A Spectrum is obtained when electromagnetic
Niels Bohr radiation (polychromatic, or mixture of different λ) is
(1885-1962) separated into its wavelength components (e.g
(Prize Nobel 1922) rainbow, a mixture of colors, or a continuous
spectrum).

visible radiation (light) is separated

into its wavelength components
(continuous spectrum)
 BOHR’S THEORY OF HYDROGEN ATOM

When high voltage (or heat) is applied to a gas (e.g. neon, mercury
vapor, hydrogen,…), radiation is emitted (e.g. neon lights).

If this emitted radiation is passed through a prism, only single line

spectra of certain wavelengths are obtained.
 BOHR’S THEORY OF HYDROGEN ATOM

Emision Spectra
 BOHR’S THEORY OF HYDROGEN ATOM

The emission spectrum of hydrogen is particularly simple (only 4 lines).

If this emitted radiation is passed through a prism, only single line

spectra of certain wavelengths are obtained.

410 nm 434 nm 486 nm 656 nm

Emision spectrum of hydrogen

These four lines fitted in the
Rydberg Equation
l = wavelength
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= 𝑹𝑯 𝟐 − 𝟐 RH = Rydberg constant (1.097 x 107 m-1)
𝝀 𝒏𝟏 𝒏𝟐 n1, n2 = whole number integers
 BOHR’S THEORY OF HYDROGEN ATOM
Bohr’s model relied in three postulates:
1 - Only orbits of certain radii, corresponding to certain specific
energies, are permitted for the electron in a hydrogen atom.

2 - An electron in a permitted orbit is in an “allowed” energy

state. An electron in an allowed energy state does not radiate energy
and, therefore, does not spiral into the nucleus.

3 - Energy is emitted or absorbed by the electron only as the

electron changes from one allowed state to another. This energy is
emitted or absorbed as a photon that has energy E = h.

Orbits

Bohr’s hydrogen
atom
Bohr’s Theory of the Hydrogen Atom

h = Planck constant
c = speed of light
RH = Rydberg constant. 2.18 × 10–18 J

n principal quantum number (n = 1,2,3,…)

𝚫𝑬 = 𝑬𝟐 −𝑬𝟏

𝚫𝑬 = 𝒉𝝂

𝒉𝒄 𝟏 𝟏
𝚫𝑬 = 𝒉𝝂 = = −𝟐. 𝟏𝟖 ∗ 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟖 𝑱 𝟐 − 𝟐
𝝀 𝒏𝟐 𝒏𝟏
 Bohr´s Postulates Applications
Hydrogen emission spectrum
If you change nf to other integers, you obtain different series of lines (or l) for
the spectrum of the H atom.

n= E1= 0 eV
n=8
n=7
E1= -0.34 eV
n=6 P
n=5 O E1= -0.53 eV
n=4 N E1= -0.83 eV
n=3 M E1= -1.56 eV

n=2 L E1= -3.4 eV

n=1 E1= -13.6 eV

K
Lyman Balmer Paschen Brackett Pfund Humphreys
series series series series series series
(UV) (visible) (IR) (IR) (IR) (IR)
1eV=1.602 x 10 -19 J
 Bohr´s Postulates Applications
Hydrogen emission spectrum
 BOHR’S THEORY OF HYDROGEN ATOM

700 nm 400 nm
 BOHR’S THEORY OF HYDROGEN ATOM

Ejemplo: ¿Cuál es la longitud de onda (en nanómetros) de un fotón emitido

durante la transición desde el estado n1 = 3 al estado n2 = 1 en el átomo de
hidrógeno? Realiza un diagrama que muestre lo ocurrido.

𝒉𝒄 −𝟏𝟖
𝟏 𝟏
𝚫𝑬 = 𝒉𝝂 = = −𝟐. 𝟏𝟖 ∗ 𝟏𝟎 𝑱 𝟐 − 𝟐
𝝀 𝒏 𝟐 𝒏𝟏

ΔE = 1.94*10-18 J
λ = 1.03*10-7 m
 THE DUAL NATURE OF THE ELECTRON

The dual nature of radiant energy

Depending on the experimental circumstances, radiation

appears to have either a wave-like or a particle-like
(photon) character

De Broglie used the term matter waves to describe the wave

characteristics of material particles.
Louis de Broglie
(1892-1987)
(Prize Nobel 1929)

De Broglie suggested that an electron ℎ

moving about the nucleus of an atom 𝜆=
behaves like a wave and therefore has a 𝑚ν
wavelength. He proposed that the
wavelength of the electron, or of any v : velocidad
other particle, depends on its mass, m,
and on its velocity, :
mv : momentum.
 THE DUAL NATURE OF THE ELECTRON

Ejemplo: Calcule la longitud de onda de un electrón

que tiene una velocidad de 5.97 * 106 m/s. (La masa
del electrón es de 9.11 * 10-28 g.)

Datos: h = 6.63 * 10-34 Js, 1 J = 1 kgm2/s2. 1nm = 10-9 m

ℎ
𝜆=
𝑚𝜈
R/ 1.22*10-10 m = 0.122 nm
 THE DUAL NATURE OF THE ELECTRON

The dual nature of radiant energy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX4ZrC4q_cw
 THE DUAL NATURE OF THE ELECTRON

The first ever photograph of light as both a particle and wave

Nature Communications 2015, 6, 1-7.

 The Schrödinger equation

The equation incorporates both particle behavior, in

terms of mass m , and wave behavior, in terms of a wave
function ψ (psi), which depends on the location in space
of the system (such as an electron in an atom).

෡ = 𝐸Ψ
𝐻Ψ
Erwin Schrödinger
(1887-1961)
(Prize Nobel 1933)
Erwin Schrödinger (1926) formulated an equation that
describes the behavior and the energy of the subatomic
particles in general. Schrödinger equation incorporates
both the behavior of the particle (mass m) as the wave The Schrödinger equation open
(wave function ψ (psi)), which depends on the location a new field: quantum
of the system in space (an electron in an atom). The mechanics.
probability of finding the electron in a certain region of
the space is proportional to the square of the wave
function, ψ2. Thus, the most probable site for finding a
photon is having greater intensity, i.e. where ψ2 reaches
the maximum value.
 Wave function
Schrödinger equation
The Schrödinger equation works well for the hydrogen atom but cannot be
resolved accurately for atoms that have more than one electron
(approximation methods).

Probability of finding an electron in a spherical shell around the nucleus

 Solving Schrödinger’s equation (hydrogen atom )  wave
functions (mathematical functions)  ψ

ψ (The wave function has no direct physical meaning)

↓
ψ2 (provides information about the electron’s location
Erwin Schrödinger when it is in an allowed energy state).
(1887-1961)
Represents the probability that the electron will be
(Prize Nobel 1933)
found at that location (in regions surrounding the
nucleus.) (visualized as “electron clouds”))

The probability density

or Atomic Orbital
The electron density

hydrogen atom Quantum Numbers

Quantum Numbers
Four Quantum Numbers for the electron: 𝒏, 𝒍, 𝒎𝒍, 𝒎𝒔
Three Quantum Numbers for the orbital: 𝒏, 𝒍, 𝒎𝒍

Each orbital has a characteristic shape and energy.

ORBITAL
n ml
l
(𝒏, 𝒍, 𝒎𝒍, 𝒎𝒔) ELECTRON CONFIGURATIONS
 Quantum numbers

Quantum mechanics need of three quantum numbers to describe the

distribution of the electron in the atoms. These numbers are derived
from the mathematical solution of the Schrödinger equation for the
hydrogen atom and are: the principal quantum number (n), the angular
momentum quantum number (ℓ) and the magnetic quantum number
(mℓ) . These numbers are used to describe the atomic orbitals and
identify the electrons that are inside. The spin quantum number (ms) is
a fourth quantum number which describes the behavior of a certain
electron and completes the description of electrons in atoms.
 Quantum numbers

1. The principal quantum number (n)

The principal quantum number (n) can take integer values of 1, 2, 3, etc. At
the hydrogen atom, the value of n defines the energy of an orbital. The
principal quantum number is also related to the average distance of the
electron to the nucleus in particular orbital. The bigger the value of n,
greater the distance between an electron in the orbital in relation to nucleus
which in turn means that the orbital is larger.

Restriction: whole number greater than 0

 QUANTUM NUMBERS

1. First (principal) QN (n): how far the electron is from the nucleus
(larger the number, farther away)
Level or shell
Related to the size and energy of the principal quantum shell
Restriction: whole number greater than 0
n=2

n=1,2,3,4,…
n=1
𝒏𝒍
1𝒍

n = 1 shell has the smallest size and electrons in it possess the lowest energy
 Quantum numbers
2. The angular momentum quantum number (ℓ)
The angular momentum quantum number (ℓ) expresses the shape of the orbital.
The ℓ values depend on the value of the principal quantum number, n. For a
certain value of n, ℓ has all the possible integer values from 0 to (n - 1). For n = 1
there is only one possible value of ℓ ( ℓ = n – 1 = 0). If n = 2 (ℓ can have two
values: 0 and 1). If n = 3 (ℓ can have three values: 0, 1, and 2). The value of ℓ is
designated with the letters s, p, d,... in the following way:

Therefore, if ℓ = 0, we have an s orbital, if ℓ = 1, have a p orbital, and so on. The

set of orbitals having the same value of n is commonly known as level or shell.
The orbitals having same values of n and ℓ are known as sublevel or subshell. For
example, the level with n = 2 consists of two subshells, ℓ = 0 and 1 (the values
allowed for n = 2). These correspond to the 2s and 2p subshells, where 2
expresses the value of n, and s and p refer to the value of ℓ.
Restriction: l = 0 to (n-1)
 QUANTUM NUMBERS
2. Second (azimuthal) QN (l) – the shape of the orbital

Restriction: l = 0 to (n-1)

l=1
l=0 Hourglass
sphere The orbital has two lobes.

l 0 1 2 3
Letter s p d f
n≥ 1 2 3 4

𝒏𝒍 1𝒔 2p 3d 4f
 Quantum numbers

3. The magnetic quantum number (mℓ)

The magnetic quantum number (mℓ) describes the orientation of the orbital
in space. Within a subshell, the value of mℓ depends on the value that has the
angular momentum quantum number, ℓ. For a given value of ℓ, there are (2ℓ
+ 1) allowed values of mℓ, ranging from - ℓ to ℓ, including zero:

If ℓ = 0, then mℓ = 0. If ℓ = 1, then there are [(2 × 1) + 1], the three mℓ values

are - 1, 0 and 1. If ℓ = 2, there are [(2 × 2) + 1], the five mℓ values are - 2, - 1,
0, 1 and 2. The number of values that has mℓ indicates the number of orbitals
present in a subshell with certain value of ℓ.

Restriction: -l > ml > +l

 QUANTUM NUMBERS
3. Third (magnetic) QN (ml)– the suborbital orientation of orbital
Restriction: -l > ml > +l
𝒏𝒍
Example : n=2 l = 0, 1
l = 0 electrons have possible ml=0 2𝒔
only one way to orient sphere

l = 1 electrons have possible ml= -1, 0, +1

oriented in x-dir
ml=-1 2𝐩𝐱
oriented in y-dir
ml=+1
n, l, ml 2𝐩𝐲
describe spatial properties
oriented in z-dir
specific energy
ml=0 2𝐩𝐳
# of orbitals
2l +1
 ATOMIC ORBITALS
ATOMIC ORBITALS
ATOMIC ORBITALS
 ATOMIC ORBITALS
orbitals n l # of orbitals # of orbitals
notation subshell shell
2l+1

3d l = 2 (d)

3p n =3 l = 1 (p)

3s
l = 0 (s)

2p
l = 1 (p)
n =2
2s l = 0 (s)
1s n =1 l = 0 (s)
 ATOMIC ORBITALS

Example
What is the designation for a subshell n=5 and l =1?
5p
How many orbitals are in this subshell?
3
What are the values of ml for each of the orbitals?
-1, 0, +1
 Quantum numbers
n, l y ml…..
 Quantum numbers
n, l y ml…..
l=2 +2 +1 0 -1 -2 3d

n=3 l=1 +1 0 -1 3p
Energy

l=0 l=0 3s

l=1 +1 0 -1 2p

n=2
l=0 0 2s

n=1 l=0 0 1s

n l m
 QUANTUM NUMBERS

Quantum Numbers

ms
electron

ORBITAL
n ml
l
 Quantum numbers
4. The electron spin quantum number (ms)
The experiments made with the emission spectra of hydrogen atoms indicated
that the emission spectrum lines could be separated by applying an external
magnetic field. These results were explained, assuming that electrons behave like
little magnets.
To take into account the spin of the electron is necessary to add a fourth quantum
number, known as the electron spin quantum number (ms), which takes values of
+1/2 or -1/2.

Restriction ms = +1/.2, -1/2

 QUANTUM NUMBERS
4. Spin Quantun Number (ms o s)
magnetic properties of the electron
Restriction ms = +1/2, -1/2
electron - electric charge
spin clockwise spin counterclockwise
N S
- -- - - -- -

S N
spin up spin down

ELECTRON CONFIGURATION determined by the

values of quantum numbers 𝒏, 𝒍, 𝒎𝒍, 𝒎𝒔

How the electrons interact with their environment

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
(CHEMICAL IDENTITY)
 ATOMIC ORBITALS

Example

Which of the following sets of quantum numbers are not allowed in the
hydrogen atom?

A. n=2, l=0, ml =0, ms=1/2 (2, 0, 0, ½)

B. n=1, l=0, ml=0, ms= -1/2 (1, 0, 0, -½)
C. n=3, l=1, ml= 2, ms=1/2 (3, 1, 2, ½)
D. n=4, l=2, ml= -2, ms=1/2 (4, 2, -2, ½)
 Quantum numbers

 Quantum numbers for electrons in atoms

Name Symbol Values Meaning Indicates

Principal n 1,2,…. Labels shells, Size
specify energy
Orbital angular l 0,1,…,n-1 Labels subshell Shape
momentum
Magnetic ml l, l-1,…,-l Labels orbits of Direction
subshell
Spin ms +1/2, -1/2 Labels spin state Spin
direction
 Atomic orbitals shapes
The relationship between the quantum numbers and the atomic orbitals is
shown below:
n l ml orbital´s amount shapes

When ℓ = 0, (2ℓ + 1) = 1 and there is only a value for mℓ, so we have an orbital s.
When ℓ = 1 (2ℓ + 1) = 3, so there are three values for mℓ or three orbital p,
represented as px, py, and pz. When ℓ = 2, (2ℓ + 1) = 5, and there are five values
for mℓ; the respective five orbital d are expressed with more complex
subscripts.
 Atomic orbitals shapes
Representation of the 1s, 2s, and 3s orbitals

All the s orbitals are spherical but they increase with

the increase of the principal quantum number.
2

Source: ChemWIKI
Here is one of the most fascinating points in the
quantum chemistry. The electron can exist partly in
Zumdahl, Chemistry, Chap 7, Atomic structure and
all its probable states at the same time.
periodicity ,6thed
The electron can not be in the in the node region
Atomic orbitals shapes
The p orbitals
The p orbitals start with the principal quantum number n = 2. If n = 1, the
angular momentum quantum number ℓ, can only take a value of zero; as a
result, there is only a 1s orbital. When ℓ = 1, the magnetic quantum number
mℓ can take values of - 1, 0 and 1. So, if we begin with n = 2 and ℓ = 1, we have
three orbitals 2px, 2py and 2pz.

The subscript letters

indicate the axes that
orient the orbitals.

These three orbital p have the same size, shape and energy; they only differ in
their orientation. The orbital p size increases from 2p to 3p, 4p and so on.
Atomic orbitals shapes

The d orbitals and other orbitals of higher energy

When ℓ = 2, there are five values for mℓ, corresponding to five d orbitals. The
minimum value of n for a d orbital is 3. As ℓ cannot be greater than n - 1, when
n = 3 and ℓ = 2, we have five orbitals 3d (3dxy, 3dyz, 3dxz, 3dx2-y2 and 3dz2):

All the 3d orbitals of an atom have the same energy and the d orbitals for which n
is greater than 3 (4d, 5d,...) have similar forms.
The orbitals having more energy than the d orbitals are represented with the
letters f, g, ….
The energies of the orbitals
The energy of the electron in a hydrogen atom is set only by the principal
quantum number. Thus, the energies of the hydrogen orbitals increase as
follows:

Although the distributions of electronic density are

not equals in the 2s and 2p orbitals, the electron in
the hydrogen atom will have the same energy in
these two orbitals. The 1s orbital of the hydrogen
atom corresponds to the most stable condition, the
fundamental state. The electron in this atom will be
in an excited state in the 2s, 2p orbitals or in
superior orbitals.
The energies of the orbitals
The energy diagram for polyelectronic atoms is more complex than the hydrogen
atom. In those atoms, the energy of an electron depends on the angular
momentum quantum number ℓ as well as its principal quantum number n.

For polyelectronics atoms, the 3d energy level is close to the level 4s. However, the
total energy of an atom depends not only on the sum of the energies of the
orbitals, but also the power of repulsion between electrons of these orbitals. This
shows that the total energy of an atom is lower when the 4s is filled before 3d
subshell.
The energies of the orbitals

Energy  shell (n ) + subshell (l )

Energy  shell (n )
 ATOMIC ORBITALS

Orden de llenado de los orbitales para átomos polielectrónicos de acuerdo a la energía

n l n+l Notación Orden de

orbital nl acuerdo
a la energía
1 0

Aumento de energía
2 0
2 1
3 0
3 1
3 2
4 0
4 1
4 2
5 0
5 1
Orden:
 ATOMIC ORBITALS

Orden de llenado de los orbitales para átomos polielectrónicos de acuerdo a la energía

n l n+l Notación Orden de

orbital nl acuerdo
a la energía
1 0 1+0=1 1s 1s

Aumento de energía
2 0 2+0=2 2s 2s
2 1 2+1=3 2p 2p
3 0 3+0=3 3s 3s
3 1 3+1=4 3p 3p
3 2 3+2=5 3d 4s
4 0 4+0=4 4s 3d
4 1 4+1=5 4p 4p
4 2 4+2=6 4d 5s
5 0 5+0=5 5s 4d
5 1 5+1=6 5p 5p
Orden: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p 5s 4d 5p
 Key Definitions

Atoms: natural entities of all matter.

Atomic properties: properties of individual atoms.
Electronic configuration: distribution of electrons in every
energetic level (orbitals)
Periodic table of chemical elements: a tool for correlating and
organizing chemical properties of elements. The modern periodic
tables are results of quantum mechanics, and the study of
chemistry has gone through a period highly theoretical to reach
this state.
Many atomic properties are related to the location of the element
on the period table, and you need to know some of the rules and
trends.
 Electron Configuration
(𝒏, 𝒍, 𝒎𝒍, 𝒎𝒔) “address” of an electron in an atom
how the electrons are distributed
among the various atomic orbitals

1s 1
group #
row #
# valence e-
shell #
possibilities are:
possibilities are 1-7
s: 1 or 2
7 rows
subshell p: 1-6
possibilities are d: 1-10
s, p, d, or f f: 1-14
4 subshells Total e- should equal
Atomic #
 Filling Rules for Electron Orbitals

1. Pauli Exclusion Principle: An orbital can hold a maximum of two

electrons. To occupy the same orbital, two electrons must spin in
opposite directions.

2. Hund’s Rule: Electrons occupy equal-energy orbitals so that a

maximum number of unpaired electrons results.

3. Aufbau Principle (The Building-Up Principle): Electrons are added

one at a time to the lowest energy orbitals available until all the
electrons of the atom have been accounted for.
 1. The Pauli Exclusion Principle

Wolfgang Pauli (1925): “ It is not possible that 2 e- in

the same atom have the same four quantum
numbers.”

Every orbital can only be occupied by two electrons

Wolfgang Pauli
with opposite spins 1900-1958

2p
E
2s 

1s 
Ground and excited state
The configuration associated with the lowest energy level of the atom
correspond to a quantum mechanical state called the ground state. Other
configurations corspond to excited states, associated with energy levels other
than the lowest.
Example
Sodium ground state Sodium excited state

Visible line spectrum of energetically excited sodium atoms

589 nm
Ground states-electron configurations of atoms Z=1 to 36
 2. Hund’s Rule
“The lowest-energy arrangement of electrons in a subshell, is
obtained by putting electrons into separate orbitals of the
subshell with the same spin before pairing electrons.”

In degenerated orbitals, electrons put their spins parallel

Friedrich Hund
1896-1997

2p E 2p  
E
2s  2s 

1s  1s 
 2. Hund’s Rule
“The lowest-energy arrangement of electrons in a subshell, is
obtained by putting electrons into separate orbitals of the
subshell with the same spin before pairing electrons.”

In degenerated orbitals, electrons put their spins parallel

Friedrich Hund
1896-1997
 3. Aufbau Principle Mnemonic Diagram
A scheme used to reproduce the electron
configurations of the ground states of atoms by
successively filling subshells with electrons in a specific
order.
Orbitals are filled in increasing energy order and always
considering Pauli and Hund rules

What orbitals are filled with

electrons constitutes the Electronic
Configuration of an Atom.

The knowledge of the electronic configurations is essential to

understand and predict the properties of the elements. It also
explains why the periodic table works so well.
3. Aufbau Principle

Orbitals and
Their Energies
 Orbital Filling with Electrons
Number of
Orbital
electrons
s 2 ( 1 orbital)
p 6 ( 3 orbitals)
d 10 ( 5 orbitals)
f 14 ( 7 orbitals)
Maximum number of orbitals : 2 l + 1
Maximum number of orbitals in a shell n : n2

Maximum number of electrons in a shell n : 2n2

Maximum number of electrons in a shell n : 2n2

Example: Shell 2, n = 2; max. number = 2 x 22 = 8e-
2s (2 e-) and 2p (6 e-)  6 + 2 = 8e-
 ELECTRON CONFIGURATION

Abbreviated Electron Configurations

Orbital Filling with Electrons and Electron Configurations

Examples: De acuerdo a la configuración electrónica diga

el número atómico y a que elemento corresponde.

Z A: 1s2 2s2 2p5 Z=2+2+5=9 A:F

Z A: [He] 2s2 2p5

Z B : 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 Z = 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 = 12 B : Mg

Z B : [Ne] 3s2

ZC : 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s23d8

ZC
C : Ni
: [Ar] 4s2 3d8
Z = 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 6 + 8 + 2 = 28
 Orbital Filling with Electrons, Anomalous Configurations

Anomalous configurations can usually be explained by the unusual

stability of both half-filled and fully-filled subshells.

Predicted Real

Most of the anomalous electron configurations occur in elements with

atomic numbers greater than Z=40. They are relatively common for
transition metals (“d-block”), lanthanoides and actinoides (“f-block”) .
 ELECTRON CONFIGURATION

Electron Configuration Exceptions

• Mostly with transition metal elements
• There is a special stability to filled and half-filled orbitals

Element Actual configuration Instead of

Cr [Ar]4s13d5 [Ar]4s23d4

Mo [Kr]5s14d5 [Kr]5s24d4

Cu [Ar]4s13d10 [Ar]4s23d9

Ag [Kr]5s14d10 [Kr]5s24d9
 Electron Configuration vs Periodic Table

1s 1

P=1 row # group #

shell
G=1
subshell
possibilities are
s, p, d, or f
4 subshells
Electron Configuration vs Periodic Table
Electron Configuration vs Periodic Table

(17)
(17)
Electron Configuration vs Periodic Table

5
5
According to the Electron Configurations.…

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
H He
“s” Block
s1 s2 p1 p2 p3 p4 p5 p6
“d” Block
Transition Metals
d1 d2 d3 d4 d5 d6 d7 d8 d9 d10 “p” Block
“f” Block

f1 f2 f3 f4 f5 f6 f7 f8 f9 f10 f11 f12 f13 f114

Main group (Representative)

Inner Transition Metals

Electron Configuration
Electron Configuration vs Periodic Table
 Groups in the Periodic Table

Block Group Name Electronic config.

1 Alkaline n s1
s
2 Alkaline Earth n s2
13 Boron Family n s2 p1
14 Carbon Family n s2 p2
15 Nitrogen Family, picnitides n s2 p3
p
16 Oxygen Family, chalcogens n s2 p4
17 Halogens n s2 p5
18 Noble Gases n s2 p6
d 3-12 Transition n s2(n–1)d1-10
Inner Transition
f (Lanthanoide and n s2 (n–1)d1(n–2)f1-14
Actinoide)
Electron Configurations and Periodic Table
Group VIIIA: Noble gases
They do not need to gain
or lose electrons, thus
they are relatively
unreactive

Group IIA: Alkaline earth

metals
Moderately reactive
elements, they react by
losing two electrons
Each of these configurations consists of a noble-gas core, that is, an inner-shell
configuration corresponding to one of the noble gases, plus two outer
electrons with an ns2 configuration.
Electron Configurations and Periodic Table

Group IIIA:
Boron Group

The noble-gas core together with (n-1)d10 electrons is often referred to as a

pseudo-noble-gas core, because these electrons usually are not involved in
chemical reactions.

An electron in an atom outside the noble-gas or pseudo-noble-gas core is

called a valence electron

The similarity in the electron configurations explains what chemists since

Mendeléiev have known-the properties of elements within any group are
similar.
 ELECTRON CONFIGURATION

Paramagnetic and Diamagnetic

Paramagnetic : substances are those that contain net unpaired
spins and are attracted by a magnet.

Diamagnetic : substances do not contain net unpaired spins and

are slightly repelled by a magnet.

Diamagnetic material
In the presence of a field, dipoles
are induced and aligned opposite
to the field direction.

Paramagnetic material
 ELECTRON CONFIGURATION

Neodymium magnet
Pyrolytic carbon
 ELECTRON CONFIGURATION

Z=2

Z=4

Z=7

Z = 10
 ELECTRON CONFIGURATION
Para complementar

Especie p e C.E.Abreviada Diagrama de Orbital de Valencia

Sr
Sr+
Sr2+
Al3+
S2-
Br-
Ba2+
Fe
Fe2+
Fe3+
Ru3+
Cu

d Orbital. Lose their “s” electrons first.

Response:
Te Ni