Electron Energy Levels Electrons have different energy levels The farther the electron is from the nucleus, the more energy the electron has Electrons “fill” the energy levels from just outside the nucleus, outward Each of the seven energy levels have a maximum number of electrons they can hold Energy level 1 = up to 2 electrons Energy level 2 = up to 8 electrons Energy level 3 = up to 18 electrons Energy level 4 = up to 32 electrons Etc.
Electron Configuration http://www.chem4kids.com/files/elements/art/026_orbital.gif
Electron Energy Levels Scientists keep track of the electrons to help predict an element’s behavior The electron(s) in the highest (outermost) energy level define the chemical properties of the element and participate in chemical reactions (valence electrons) Elements in the same group (vertical columns of elements in the periodic table with similar properties) have the same number of electrons in their outer energy level
Electron Configuration The electron total for each element increases by 1 left to right on the periodic table When a period ends at the far right side, the outer energy level is filled All energy levels have sublevels called orbitals s orbital: holds up to 2 electrons p orbital: holds up to 6 electrons d orbital: holds up to 10 electrons f orbital: holds up to 14 electrons
Orbital Shapes http://boomeria.org/chemlectures/ch9orbitals1.jpg
Electron Configuration Steps for determining the electron configuration of an element: Determine the number of electrons the element has. Fill the lowest energy levels first and work your way up from the nucleus. Each orbital “box” gets one up arrow and one down arrow. Up arrows fill first, down arrows last. Write the electron configuration. (energy level number)(orbital) (electrons)
Orbital Diagram
Example: Fluorine Fluorine has 9 electrons. Fill the lowest energy levels first and work your way up from the nucleus. Each orbital “box” gets one up arrow and one down arrow. Up arrows fill first, down arrows last.
Orbital Diagram for Fluorine
Example: Fluorine Fluorine has 9 electrons. Fill the lowest energy levels first and work your way up from the nucleus. Each orbital “box” gets one up arrow and one down arrow. Up arrows fill first, down arrows last. Write the electron configuration.
Orbital Diagram for Fluorine 1s22s22p5
Orbital Diagram
Notice a Pattern? http://www.mpcfaculty.net/mark_bishop/periodic_table_blocks_alone.jpg