Electron Configuration
Quantum Mechanics (Ohh scary)
Quantum Mechanical Model

Schrodinger’s equations, when solved give the
most probably location of electrons in the
electron cloud.

The energy levels in the electron cloud are
labeled by Principle Quantum Numbers (n).
◦
◦
◦
◦
First energy level:
Second energy level:
Third energy level:
Fourth energy level:
n=1
n=2
n=3
n=4
Quantum Mechanical Model

Each sublevel corresponds to orbitals
with different shapes.

These orbitals are areas most likely to
contain electrons.
S sublevels

The s sublevel is made
up of a single s orbital.

It is spherical in shape

A maximum of 2
electrons can fit into
any s sublevel
P sublevels

The p sublevel is
composed of 3 orbitals:
◦ px
◦ py
◦ pz

These orbitals are
dumbbell shaped

A maximum of 6
electrons can be found in
the p sublevel
D sublevels

Each d sublevel is composed of 5 orbitals.

A total of 10 electrons can be found in the d
sublevel.
F sublevels
The f sublevel is composed of 7 f orbitals.
Each orbital is each in the amount of
energy.
 A total of 14 electrons can be found in an
f sublevel.

Quantum Mechanical Model
Principle
Energy
Level
Number
of
Sublevels
(n)
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
Type of
sublevels
Number
of orbitals
per
sublevel
Number
of
electrons
per
sublevel
Total
number of
electrons
per energy
level