Electron Configuration: Determine from Periodic Table

[rosem]

Homework Statement

Electron configuration 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1

Homework Equations

How do i determine this from a periodic table

The Attempt at a Solution

i know the one in front of the S is the number of orbitals and the S signifies the group in the periodic table

 

[dontdisturbmycircles]

Well, we know that neutral atoms have the same number of protons and electrons.

The 1s^2 means there are two elections in the 1s shell which is in the first energy level. Similiarly the 2p^6 means there are 6 electrons in the 2p shell which is in the 2nd energy level. Just count the electrons.

To make sure you understand the concept of orbitals, I suggest you work some problems like this backwards. Such as trying to see if you can find the electronic structure of Sodium without any help, pick an element! I don't know if you have learned about D orbitals, if not stay above the 4th row.

 

[Blueshift5]

, but how do i determine the number of electrons in each orbital from the periodic table?

Great question! To determine the electron configuration from the periodic table, you first need to know the atomic number of the element. This can be found in the top left corner of the element's box on the periodic table.

Next, you can use the Aufbau principle to fill the orbitals in order of increasing energy. The first number in the electron configuration (1s^2) represents the energy level or shell, and the letter (s, p, d, or f) represents the type of orbital.

To determine the number of electrons in each orbital, you can refer to the periodic table. Each row represents a new energy level, and the columns represent the orbitals. For example, the first row represents the 1s orbital, the second row represents the 2s and 2p orbitals, and so on.

Using this information, you can determine the number of electrons in each orbital for the element with the given electron configuration. In this case, the number of electrons in each orbital is 2 in the 1s orbital, 2 in the 2s orbital, and 6 in the 2p orbital. The 3s orbital has 1 electron, giving the complete electron configuration of 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1.

I hope this helps! Remember, the periodic table is a helpful tool for determining electron configurations, but it's important to understand the principles behind it as well. Keep up the great work!