Question

What does electron configuration tell you about an element?

Answer 1

It tells you how many electrons there are in each of the different orbitals (s, p, d, or f) and at which energy level (n= 1, 2, 3, ...).

Examples:

`1s^(2) ->` 2 electrons in the s orbital on first energy level. (this happens to be the electron configuration of helium, `He`)

`[He] 2s^(2) 2p^(5) ->` electron configuration of fluorine, `F`. Here's how you'd break down the configuration

• `1s^(2)`, so 2 electrons in the s orbital on 1st energy level - this is the electron configuration of helium;
• `2s^(2)`, so 2 electrons in s orbital on 2nd energy level;
• `2p^(5)`, so 5 electrons in the p orbital on 2nd energy level

`[Ar] 4s^(2) 3d^(2)` -> electron configuration of titanium, `Ti`

• `[Ar]` - the electron configuration of argon, `Ar`
• 2 electrons in s orbital of 4th energy level
• 2 electrons in d orbital on 3rd energy level