Electron Orbital Diagrams and
Electron Configurations
Labeling Electrons –
Part 2
Supplement to Book –
Glencoe: Chapter 19-3
I. Orbitals in Energy Levels (L)
This is the 2nd quantum number
 The shape of the periodic table is a direct
result of the order
in which electrons
fill the energy
sublevels and
orbitals.

I. Orbitals in Energy Levels (L)



All electrons are found in specific orbitals
within each energy level
Orbital – very specific space in which there is
a high probability of finding an electron,
basically a subshell within an energy level
There are four types of orbitals
 named by their shape
“s” – spherical  like a ball

"s" orbital pictures

Click link above to see “s” orbitals

s-block = Groups 1 and 2, plus helium
“p” – dumbbell 
kind of like dumbbell weights

"p" orbital pictures

Click link above to see “p” orbitals

p-block = Groups 13 through 18, excluding
helium
“d” – complex  multiple
combinations of shapes

"d" orbital pictures

Click link above to see “d” orbitals

d-block = Groups 3-12
“f” – complex  multiple combinations
of shapes

"f" orbital pictures

Click link above to see “f” orbitals

f-block = Elements #58-71 and #90-103
(pulled out at the bottom)
B. Each type of orbital has a specific
number that exist
1. There is only 1 “s” orbital in each energy level, starting in the
first energy level (n=1).
2. There are only 3 “p” orbitals in each energy level, starting with
the second energy level (n =2).
3. There are only 5 “d” orbitals in each energy level, starting with
the third energy level (n=3).
4. There are only 7 “f” orbitals in each energy level, starting with
the fourth energy level (n=4).
C. “L” numbers

Each orbital shape has a “L” number
associated with it:
s=0
p=1
d=2
f=3
D. How many electrons fit?

Any single orbital may only hold 2 electrons
maximum
Hello
Dude, the
Can I sit
down?

McFly.
“Rule of cups”
 When the cup is full, it will overflow
couch is
full.
II. Electron Orbital Diagrams
A. Shows the locations of electrons in specific orbitals
in specific energy levels
B. Electrons are represented as arrows
C. Orbitals are represented at a labeled line or box, in a
stair step pattern
D. Electrons fill orbitals from lowest energy to highest
energy, one electron at a time
II. Electron Orbital Diagrams


Examples: Hydrogen, Boron, Titanium
Remember “Rule of Urinals”
Rule of Urinals
 You never pee beside you buddy
unless you have too!
 If given a choice, you always choose a new,
empty urinal.
III. Electron configurations
A. Electron configurations take the electron
orbital diagram and condenses it down to
letters and numbers to represent the location
of electrons within the atom.
III. Electron configurations

Examples: Hydrogen, Boron, Titanium