Chemistry (AS Level)·Atomic structure · NSSCAS 1.2.3
Electrons: energy levels, orbitals & configuration
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The simple 'shells' model isn't the whole story. Learn the true home of the electron — the atomic orbital — its s, p and d types and shapes, how orbitals fill according to strict rules, and how to write the full electron configuration of any atom or ion up to 4d.
What you'll learn in this lesson
By the end you should be able to (NSSCAS Chemistry (AS Level) 1.2.3):
- Describe the number and relative energies of the s, p and d orbitals for shells 1, 2 and 3, plus 4s and 4p
- Describe and sketch the shapes of s and p orbitals; recall each orbital holds up to 2 electrons
- Recall the number of orbitals in s, p and d sub-shells and the electrons each can hold
- Describe how electrons fill orbitals (4s before 3d; singly before pairing)
- State electron configurations of atoms and ions (1s²2s²2p⁶… and electrons-in-boxes)
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