Electronic Structure

• Definition of an orbital.

  An orbital is a region within an atom that can hold up to two electrons, with opposite spins.
• What are the different types of orbitals?


  s, p, d and f
• What is the shape of the s orbital?

  sphere
• What is the shape of the p orbital?

  dumb-bell or figure of 8
• How many orbitals are found in each subshell?

  s= 1

  p= 3

  d= 5

  f = 7
• Why is 4s filled up before 3d?

  4s is lower in energy than 3d
• Which level are electrons removed from?

  highest
• Which level are electrons added to?

  highest
• Lithium has the electron configuration of 1s1 and 2s1. Write the shorthand notion.

  [He]2s1
• What does the block tell you?

  the highest occupied sub shell within an element
• Where is the s block on the periodic table?

  LHS
• Where is the p block on the periodic table?

  RHS
• Where is the d block on the periodic table?

  middle
• what does 2p*4 tell you?

  period =2

  block =p

  how far into the block =4
• When electrons are lost is 4s or 3d emptied first? Why?

  4s = the energies of the subshells changes as electrons are added due to shielding effects
• In an orbital the arrows must be what ?

  facing opposite directions to show the opposite spins of electrons
• Why do electrons occupy orbitals singly ?

  due to electron repulsion
• What analogy is used to remember how electrons fill or orbitals ?


  like seats on a bus
• When electrons are lost does 4s or 3d empty first ?

  4s