Assorted Topics in Electron Configuration

​Assorted Topics in Electron Configuration

Unit 4: Modern Atomic Theory

Multiple Choice

Review: What rule states that you must fill electrons starting with the LOWEST energy orbital?

• Pauli Exclusion Principle

• Aufbau's Principle

• Hund's Rule

Match

Review: Match the sublevel with the correct number of orbitals

• s sublevel

• f sublevel

• p sublevel

• d sublevel

1 orbital

7 orbitals

3 orbitals

5 orbitals

• 1 orbital

• 7 orbitals

• 3 orbitals

• 5 orbitals

Max electrons per energy level

Multiple Choice

What is the max number of electrons that can be held in the 8th energy level?

• 16

• 64

• 128

• 8

Shape of Orbitals

• s orbitals are spherical

• p orbitals are dumbbell shape

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​Click through to see how the orbitals overlap as you increase the number of electrons

Why does backfilling occur?

Backfilling refers to having to go DOWN an energy level when writing out the electron configuration.

Open Ended

Where do you see backfilling occur when you're writing electron configuration?

(Hint: Look at your blank periodic table)

Why does backfilling occur?

Backfilling occurs for 2 reasons:
1. The shape of the orbital is more complex (d orbital shape vs a simple s orbital)
2. The orbital holds more electrons which puts it slightly higher in energy

Energy of different sublevels

d orbital shape vs s orbital shape