Standard Level Content
Unit 3  ·  IB Chemistry

Electron Configuration

Understanding the arrangement of electrons in atoms and ions, which determines the chemical identity and reactivity of elements.

SL HL ~ hrs
1 H 1.008
6 C 12.011
29 Cu 63.546
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1 Lessons Available

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Electron Configuration
12 Mg 24.305
10 Ne 20.180
Orbital
A region of space where there is a high probability (90%+) of finding an electron.
Subshell
A subdivision of an energy level (s, p, d, f) containing group of orbitals with the same energy.
Principal Energy Level
The shell occupied by electrons, denoted by the quantum number n.
Quantized
Restricted to specific, discrete values of energy rather than a continuous range.
Emission Spectrum
A series of discrete lines produced when electrons drop from higher to lower energy levels.
Aufbau Principle
Electrons fill the lowest available energy levels before moving to higher ones.
Pauli Exclusion Principle
An orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, and they must have opposite spins.
Hund's Rule
Electrons fill degenerate orbitals singly first, with parallel spins, to minimize repulsion.
Degenerate Orbitals
Orbitals that have the same energy level ($e.g. \text{the three p-orbitals in a subshell}$).
Isotopes
Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Relative Atomic Mass ($A_r$)
The weighted average mass of an atom compared to 1/12th of carbon-12.
Mass Spectrometry
Analytical technique used to determine the relative abundance of isotopes in a sample.
Valence Electrons
Electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom, responsible for bonding.
Shielding
The reduction in nuclear attraction on outer electrons by inner shell electrons.
Photon
A discrete packet (quantum) of electromagnetic radiation.
Ground State
The lowest energy state of an atom where electrons fill the orbital closest to the nucleus.
26 Fe 55.845
79 Au 196.967
17 Cl 35.45