Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION V - BICOL
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE CITY
MASBATE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL
MASBATE CITY

CHEMISTRY 1
1st SEMESTER, SY. 2021-2022

Module 12
Electron Configuration of Atoms
2nd QUARTER WEEK – 3

I. LEARNING SKILLS/CONTENT

After going through this module, you are expected to:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to:
1. Write the electron configuration of an atom using the conventional method.
2. Determine magnetic properties of an atom based on its electronic configuration.
3. Determine valence configuration and valence electrons.

Apparently, each electron in an atom has a specific set of quantum numbers. How these
electrons are distributed among the orbitals in an atom is given by the electron configuration. The
arrangement of electrons about an atom is related to the energies of the electrons. Hence, in this
module, the learners are expected to explore and comprehend how these electrons are distributed in a
so-called electron configuration. They will also be able to show in an orbital diagram the arrangement
of electrons described by the energies and magnetic property.

The Electron Configuration of Atom Electron configurations have the format: 1s2 2s2 2p6. The
first number is the principal quantum number (n) and the letter represents the value of l (angular
momentum quantum number; 1 = s, 2 = p, 3 = d and 4 = f) for the orbital, and the superscript number
tells you how many electrons are in that orbital. Orbital diagrams use the same basic format, but instead
of numbers for the electrons, they use ↑ and ↓ arrows, as well as giving each orbital its own line, to
represent the spins of the electrons too.

Before going any further……Let us evaluate first what you know

Activity: About Electron Configuration

2. What is meant by the electronic configuration of an element?

ANALYSIS
In filling the electrons in an orbital diagram, it was noted that it has to follow a certain rule.
The rule is to start at the beginning of each arrow, and then follow it all of the way to the end,
filling in the sublevels that it passes through. In other words, the order for filling in the
sublevels becomes; 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p so
on and so forth.

Direction: In each of the following statements, you are given a pair of elements and important
information about each. Use this information to determine if the pair of elements is isotope
or different elements. Indicate your answer in the space provided.

REFLECTION
The Intention to learn makes one be excited to the next energy level of knowledge.

ABSTRACTION
The Electron Configuration
Electron Configuration; what is it? Generally, it describes how electrons are distributed in
an orbital. The distribution of electrons must follow a standard notation which was based on
the set of quantum numbers calculated mathematically using the Schrodinger Equation. In
which all electron-containing atomic subshells (with the number of electrons they hold
written in superscript) are placed in a sequence. For example, the electron configuration of
sodium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1 until all the electrons are distributed based on the atomic number
of the atom. In short, electron distribution has parts; these are the Energy level - a number
1, 2, 3, and so on, Sublevel (orbital) - a letter, either s, p, d, or f, Number of electrons - a
superscript number.

This is how the electron configuration is represented. Take note that in a neutral atom, the
number of electrons is equal to the number of protons. Thus, the number of electrons in an
atom is equal to its atomic number and is the basis as to how many Energy level 1s2 number
of electrons orbital electrons are to be distributed in a so-called electron configuration of the
atom. Be it also reminded, that in the distribution of electrons, every orbital can only hold a
maximum of two (2) electrons.

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Writing Electron Configuration
Basically, how electrons can be distributed or arranged in an orbital is defined by the laws:

1. The Aufbau Principle which is also known as the building up principle- states that
electrons must occupy first the orbital with the lower energies than those of higher energies.
All orbitals of the same levels are of equal energy. For example the three p orbitals; these
three (px, py, pz) are of equal energy.

Accordingly, electrons are filled in the following order: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s,
3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p…

2. Pauli Exclusion Principle- states that there only be a maximum of two electrons that can
occupy an orbital at opposite spins. These spins are called “spin up” and “spin down”.
Example: He, 1s2 - the orbital filling is ↑↓
1s2

3. Hund’s Rule – states that in filling the orbitals with electrons there must be singling first
before pairing. That means, electrons must be placed into the orbitals in such a way that no
pairs are put together unless absolutely necessary

Example: 1s2 2s2 2p3 the orbital filling will be: ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑_ ↑_ ↑_

Noticeably, in the p subshell which has 3 orbitals, there are unpaired electrons. This is so
because the 3 electrons available in 2p subshell are just enough for the three orbitals of p
and according to the Hund’s Rule there must be singling first then follows pairing. If there
are still electrons available for the orbitals indicated, then pairing is possible.

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Basically, the distributions of orbitals
can be laid out in the following fashion
(read from the bottom up):

The bottom energy level is level 1 - it has the lowest energy. Each "__" represents an orbital.
You can see that there is 1 orbital for an s subshell. There are 3 orbitals for a p subshell, 5
for a d, and 7 for an f subshell. Each orbital can hold 2 electrons.

Therefore, the s subshell can hold 2 electrons; the p can hold 6; the d can hold 10; and the f
can hold 14. And thus, the first energy level can hold 2 electrons (1s = 2), the second energy
level can hold 8 electrons (2s2p = 2 + 6), the third energy level can hold 18 electrons (3s3p3d
= 2 + 6 + 10), and the forth energy level can hold 32(4s4p4d4f = 2 + 6 + 10 + 14).
The sequence goes on until all the electrons in an atom have been assigned to orbitals in an
electron configuration.

The outermost energy level of an atom is called its valence shell, and the electrons occupying
these shells are called valence electrons. For atoms with many electrons, the difference in
energies of the higher energy levels is very small that the orbitals overlap. Such overlaps begin
to appear between energy levels 3 and 4 (4s first before 3d).

The most stable state of an atom is called its ground state. In this condition, the electrons
have the lowest possible energies. However, atoms may be excited by heating it, or it acquires
energy such that electrons jump to higher energy level called excited state. But this electron
does not permanently stay in the excited state, at some point it will release its gained energy
and go back to original level. At this point, the atom thus emits light (atomic spectra).

How important is electron configuration?

Electron Configurations are useful for:

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 II. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1: APPLICATION – PERFORMANCE TASK

Part 1. After having grasped the concept and acquired the knowledge, you are now ready to
apply your understanding.
Direction: Write the electron configuration of the following atoms/elements. Identify valence
shell/s and valence electrons.

Atoms/Elements Electron Valence Valence

Part 2. Direction: Answer the questions and show solution as needed

1. Suppose that all you know about a certain electron is that its principal quantum
number is 3. What are the possible values for the other four quantum numbers (n, l, ml,
and ms)?

2. Is it possible to have an electron with these quantum numbers: n=2, l=1, ml=3,

ms=1/2? Why or why not?

Part 3. Write the four quantum numbers for an electron in a 3p orbital?

Part 4. Write the electron configuration for Sulfur and Palladium, which is diamagnetic.

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 ACTIVITY 2: ASSESSMENT
1. Identify the element with the electron configuration 3s2 3px2 3py2 for its last energy level.
A. None of these B. Si C. Se D. S
2. Oxygen (atomic number 8) has how many electrons in the second principal energy level?
A. 6 B. 2 C. 8 D. 7
3. Which electron transition is accompanied by a release of energy?
A. 4px to 4 pz B. 3p to 3s C. 2s to 2p D. 1s to 2s
4. An element such as neon can sometimes give off light because ______.
A. its atoms all have positive charges
B. its electrons gain energy and give off light as they move to a higher energy level
C. it is radioactive
D. its electrons gain energy and give off light as they fall back to a lower level
5. The relationship between the energy of an electron and the electron’s distance from the
nucleus is basically ____.
A. the greater the energy the closer the electron is to the nucleus
B. electrons of all energies remain the same distance away from the nucleus
C. the distance of the electron from the nucleus is unrelated to the electron’s energy
D. the greater the energy the farther the electron is from the nucleus
6. Choose the electron arrangement that is possible.
A. 8 electrons in Level 1 and 2 electrons in Level 2.
B. 8 electrons in Level 1 and 8 electrons in Level 2.
C. 1 electron in Level 1 and 8 electrons in Level 2.
D. 2 electrons in Level 1 and 8 electrons in Level 2
7. How many electrons are there in the third shell (principal energy level) of the atom with
atomic number 23?
A. 10 B. 11 C. 13 D. 8
8. Which of the following is the correct order for electrons filling in orbitals?
A. 4s, 3d, 4p, 4d B. 3p, 4s, 3d, 5s
C. 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d D. 1s, 2s, 2p, 2d
9. The number of electrons in the highest energy level of 20Ca is ____.
A. 6 B. 8 C. 2 D. 4
10. Which electron configuration represents a neutral atom of nitrogen in an excited state?
A. 1s2 2s1 2p4 B. 1s2 2s2 2p4 C. 1s2 2s2 2p3 D. 1s2 2s1 2p5
11. Which electron configuration represents an atom in a strong>excited state?
A. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 4p1 C. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
B. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d1 D. 1s2 2s2 2p6
12. A lithium atom has an atomic number of 3 and a mass of 7 a.m.u. The number of
electrons which it has in the second shell (principal energy level) is ______.
A. 3 B. 1 C. 4 D. 5
13. The proper order of increasing energy sublevels is _____.
A. 3d, 4p, 4s B. 3d, 3p, 4s C. 3d, 4s, 4p D. 4s, 3d, 4p
14. The characteristic light spectrum of an element is produced when _____.
A. electrons are emitted by an atom
B. electrons drop back to lower energy levels
C. the energy level of the nucleus is increased
D. electrons are raised to higher energy levels
15. According to the quantum theory of light, the separate packets of energy by which the light
waves travel are called _______.
A. photons B. ions C. protons D. neutron

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 III. REFLECTION

Complete the following statements

I discovered that_______________________________________________.

I realized that _______________________________________________.

I can apply to my life _________________________________________.

IV. REFERENCE

Tandog, Virginia O. (2020). Module 12. Electron Configuration of Atoms.

Chang, Raymond. 6th Edition Chemistry

V. KEY ANSWER

ASSESSMENT Activity
1. D 6. D 11. A 1. A. Ca-Calcium has an electron configuration of 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 4s2.
B. Na – Sodium has an electronic configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
2. A 7. B 12. B
C. Cl - Chlorine has this electronic configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5
3. B 8. C 13. D
2. The electronic configuration of an element is a symbolic notation of the
4. D 9. C 14. B
manner in which the electrons of its atoms are distributed over different atomic
5. D 10. A 15. A orbitals. While writing electron configurations, a standardized notation is
followed in which the energy level and the type of orbital are written first,
followed by the number of electrons present in the orbital written in superscript.
For example,
the electronic configuration of carbon (atomic number: 6) is 1s2 2s2 2p2

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