Electron configuration
Electron Configuration
Electron configuration (pronunciation: /ɪˌlɛkˈtrɒn ˌkɒnfɪˈɡʊərˈeɪʃən/) is a term used in Quantum Mechanics and Chemistry to describe the arrangement of electrons in an atom. The term originates from the Greek words 'electron' meaning amber, from which the concept of electricity was derived, and 'configuration' meaning arrangement.
Definition
Electron configuration refers to the distribution of electrons of an atom or molecule in atomic or molecular orbitals. It is fundamental to the understanding of chemical reactions and physical properties of elements.
History
The concept of electron configuration was first proposed by Niels Bohr in 1913, but the modern version of the theory was formulated by many scientists including Wolfgang Pauli, Max Born, and Werner Heisenberg.
Principles
The electron configuration of an atom is governed by four principles: the Aufbau Principle, the Pauli Exclusion Principle, the Hund's Rule, and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.
Aufbau Principle
The Aufbau Principle states that electrons fill atomic orbitals of the lowest available energy levels before occupying higher levels.
Pauli Exclusion Principle
The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have identical quantum numbers.
Hund's Rule
Hund's Rule states that electrons will occupy empty orbitals of the same energy before pairing up in the same orbital.
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle states that it is impossible to simultaneously determine the exact position and momentum of an electron.
Notation
The electron configuration of an atom is usually written as a series of numbers and letters. The numbers represent the energy level, the letters represent the type of orbital (s, p, d, f), and the superscript represents the number of electrons in that orbital.
Applications
Understanding electron configuration is crucial in many areas of chemistry and physics, including predicting the chemical behavior of atoms, understanding the periodic table, and predicting the magnetic properties of materials.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Electron configuration
- Wikipedia's article - Electron configuration
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