General Chemistry 1 - Quarter 2

Electronic Structure of Atoms

Learning Activity Sheet 2.2

Quantum Numbers, Electron Configuration, and Periodic Trends
Name: ________________________ Date Answered: ___________

Grade & Section: _______________

Content Standard

The learners demonstrate the quantum mechanical description of the atom and its
electronic structure.

Learning Competency

At the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:

• Use quantum numbers to describe an electron in an atom (STEM_GC11ESIIa-

b-54).
• Write the electronic configuration of atoms (STEM_GC11ESIIa-b-56).
• Determine the magnetic property of the atom based on its electronic
configuration (STEM_GC11ESIIa-b-57).
• Draw an orbital diagram to represent electronic configuration of atoms
(STEM_GC11ESIIa-b-58).
• Describe and explain the trends in atomic properties in the periodic table
(STEM_GC11ESP-IIc-d-64).

Discussion Proper

Each orbital is characterized by a series of numbers called quantum numbers, which

describe various properties of the orbitals. Three quantum numbers are required to
describe the distribution of electrons in hydrogen and other atoms. They are the
principal quantum number, angular momentum number, and magnetic quantum
number. A fourth number – the spin quantum number describes the behavior of a
specific electron and completes the description of electrons in atoms.
Principal Quantum Number (𝒏)

• It determines the energy of an orbital and orbital size.

• The principal quantum number can have integral values of 1, 2, 3, and so forth.
• As 𝑛 increases, the orbital becomes larger, and the electron spends more time
farther from the nucleus.
• An increase in 𝑛 also means that the electron has a higher energy and is
therefore less tightly bound to the nucleus.

Angular Momentum Quantum Number (𝒍)

• It determines the shape of the orbital.

• The values of 𝑙 depend on the value of the principal quantum number and is
generally designated by the letters s, p, d, f, corresponding to 𝑙 values of 0, 1, 2,
and 3. For a given value of 𝑛, 𝑙 has possible integral values from 0 to (𝑛 − 1).

Value of 𝑙 0 1 2 3
Letter used s p d f
Magnetic Quantum Number (𝒎𝒍 )

• It describes the orientation of the orbitals in space.

• Can have integral values from −𝑙 to 𝑙, including zero.

Atomic orbital is a region of probability where electrons can be found. There are four
orbitals: s, p, d, f, which stands for sharp, principal, diffuse, and fundamental.
 Angular Momentum Number of Orbitals (2𝒍 +
Values of 𝒎𝒍
Quantum Number (𝒍) 1)
0 (s subshell) 1 0
1 (p subshell) 3 -1, 0, 1
2 (d subshell) 5 -2, -1, 0, 1, 2
3 (f subshell) 7 -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3
Spin Quantum Number (𝒎𝒔 )

• Two possible values are allowed for 𝑚𝑠 , +1/2 or −1/2. The +1/2 value indicates
clockwise spin represented by an arrow pointing upwards, and −1/2 indicates
counterclockwise spin represented by an arrow pointing downwards.

Activity

A. For each set of quantum numbers, encircle which one is invalid and the reason
why. The first item is answered for you.
n=2 𝑙=2 𝑚𝑙 = 0 𝑚𝑠 = +1/2 𝑙 must be 1 (for p orbital)
n=1 𝑙=1 𝑚𝑙 = 0 𝑚𝑠 = +1/2
n=2 𝑙=1 𝑚𝑙 = -1 𝑚𝑠 = +3/2
n=3 𝑙=1 𝑚𝑙 = 2 𝑚𝑠 = -1/2
n=0 𝑙=0 𝑚𝑙 = 0 𝑚𝑠 = +1/2
n=2 𝑙=1 𝑚𝑙 = 1 𝑚𝑠 = +1/2
B. Answer the following questions.
1. Why is it not possible to have a 2d orbital but a 3d orbital is allowed?
2. From the following sets of quantum numbers (𝑛, 𝑙, 𝑚𝑙 , 𝑚𝑠 ), identify the set
that is correct. Figure out why the other ones are wrong.
(2, -1, 0, 1/2), (2, 0, 1, 1/2), (2, 2, 0, 1/2)
3. How many possible values for 𝑙 and 𝑚𝑙 are there when:
a. 𝑛 = 3
b. 𝑛 = 5
 Discussion Proper

Electron configuration is the distribution of electrons of an atom among various

atomic orbitals.

Electron configuration can also be represented by an orbital diagram (shown below)

that shows the spin of the electron. For hydrogen, a 1s orbital can be represented as a
box with an upward arrow (positive spin) or downward arrow (negative spin). In
filling up the orbitals, the lower energy is filled up first before the higher energy levels.

In the case of hydrogen, which is the one being shown, there is only one electron. In
the ground state, the one electron of hydrogen will occupy the 1s orbital, the one with
the lowest energy. This electron is represented by the set quantum numbers: 𝑛 = 1, 𝑙 =
0, 𝑚𝑙 = 0, and 𝑚𝑠 = +1/2 or −1/2.

Pauli Exclusion Principle

This principle states that no electrons in an atom can have the same four quantum
numbers. If two electrons in an atom should have the same 𝑛, 𝑙, and 𝑚𝑙 values, then
they must have different values of 𝑚𝑠 .

Sample Problem

The three possible ways of placing two electrons in the 1s orbital are as follows:
Diagrams (a) and (b) are ruled out by the Pauli exclusion principle. In (a), both
electrons have the same upward spin and would have quantum numbers (1, 0, 0, +1/2);
in (b), both electrons have downward spins and would have the quantum numbers (1,
0, 0, -1/2).

Only the configuration in (c) is physically acceptable, because one electron has the
quantum numbers (1, 0, 0, +1/2) and the other has (1, 0, 0, −1/2).

Hund’s Rule

This rule states that the most stable arrangement of electrons in subshells is the one
with the greatest number of parallel spins.

Sample Problem

The electron configuration of carbon (C) (Z = 6) is 1s 2 2s2 2p2. The following are
different ways to distributing two electrons among three p orbitals:

None of the three arrangements violates the Pauli exclusion principle, so we must
determine which one will give the greatest stability or will require the least amount of
energy to remove an electron from its orbital. The answer is provided by German
physicist Frederick Hund, which is the Hund’s rule.

The arrangement shown in (c) satisfies this condition. In both (a) and (b) the two spins
cancel each other.
Paramagnetic and Diamagnetic

• Paramagnetic substances are those that

contains net unpaired spins and are
attracted by a magnet.
• Diamagnetic substances do not
contain net unpaired spins and are
slightly repelled by a magnet.

This figure shows parallel and anti-parallel

spins of two electrons. In (a), the two
magnetic fields reinforce each, and is paramagnetic. In (b), the two magnetic fields
cancel each other, and is diamagnetic.

Sample Problem

Lithium has three electrons or has an atomic number of three. The 1s orbital can
accommodate two of the electrons. The third one goes into the next lowest-energy
orbital, the 2s. The electron configuration of Lithium is equal to 1𝑠 2 2𝑠1 .

Now, the 1s orbital here are diamagnetic because the 1s contains electrons having
opposite spins, whereas the 2s orbital is paramagnetic because it contains an unpaired
electron, which in lithium’s case, has only the +1/2 spin quantum number on its orbital.

Partial Orbital Diagrams and Condensed Configurations

A partial orbital diagram shows only the highest energy sublevels being filled.

Example:

Aluminum has the following electronic configuration. As shown, the highest energy
sublevels drawn are 3s and 3p because the highest value of 𝑛 is 3.
A condensed electron configuration has the element symbol of the previous noble
gas in square brackets.

Example:

Electron Configuration Anomalies

Some of the elements have electron configurations that differ slightly from what our
general procedure would lead us to predict. Because a few of these elements are
important elements, it is useful to know their actual electron configurations. Six of
these are listed on the table below.

There are two main exceptions to electron configuration: chromium and copper. In
these cases, a completely full or half full d sub-level is more stable than a partially
filled d sub-level, so an electron from the 4s orbital is excited and rises to a 3d orbital.

Categories of Electrons

• Inner (core) electrons are those atoms that have in common with the previous
noble gas and any completed transition series.
• Outer electrons are those in the highest energy level (highest 𝑛 value).
• Valence electrons are those involved in forming compounds.
- For main group elements, the valence electrons are the outer electrons.
- For transition elements, the valence electrons include the outer electrons
and any (𝒏 − 𝟏)d electrons.
 Activity

A. Write the electron configuration and identify the number of unpaired electrons
of each atom.
a. Magnesium (Mg) b. Indium (In)
B. Write the electron configuration and the condensed electron configuration for
each of the elements below. Identify if it is paramagnetic or diamagnetic.
Support your answer with an orbital diagram.
a. Selenium (Se) b. Promethium (Pm)
C. As stated in this module earlier, some of the elements have electron
configurations that differ slightly from what our general procedure would lead
us to predict. State the reason why and cite your references.

Discussion Proper

The existence of these trends is due to the similarity in atomic structure of the elements
in their group families or periods and because of the periodic nature of elements.
These trends are readily mapped to the periodic table.

Electron Affinity

Electron affinity (EA) is the ability of

an atom to accept an electron. This is a
quantitative measurement of the
energy change occurring when an
electron is added to a neutral gas atom.

Atoms with low EA tend to form

cations, while atoms with high EA
tend to form anions (except the noble
gases).

Electron affinity increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a
group.

Atomic Size

We define atomic size by the covalent radius, one-half the distance between nuclei
of identical covalently bonded atoms.

• Atomic size increases as the principal quantum number 𝑛 increases

 • As 𝑛 increases, the probability that the outer electrons will be farther from the
nucleus increases.
• For main group elements, atomic size
increases down a group and decreases
across a period.

These trends hold well for the main-group

elements but not as consistently for the
transition elements. As we move from left
to right, size shrinks through the first two
or three transition elements because of the
increasing nuclear charge.

Ionization Energy

This is the amount of energy needed to pull an electron away from the atom in the
gaseous state, or the tendency of an atom to give up electrons.

There is an ionization energy measured for every electron in an atom. The first
ionization energy is the amount of energy required to remove the first electron.

• Trends in first ionization energy ONLY increases from left to right across a
period.
• Ionization energy decreases from top to bottom down a group.
• Noble gases have very high first ionization energy
Electronegativity

This chemical property describes an atom’s tendency to attract and form bonds with
electrons. This property exists due to the electronic configuration of atoms. Most
atoms follow the octet rule (having
the valence, or outer shell comprise
of 8 electrons).

• Electronegativity increases
from left to right across a
period and decreases from
top to bottom.
• Exceptions are noble gases,
lanthanides, and actinides.
• Most electronegative element is fluorine.

Reactivity

This describes the ability of an atom to undergo a chemical reaction, followed by a

release in energy.
• Reactivity of metals increases from right to left and from top to bottom.
• Reactivity of non-metals increases from left to right and from bottom to top.

Other Periodic Properties/Summary of Periodic Trends

Decreases from left to right Increases from left to right

Increases from top to bottom Decreases from top to bottom
Tendency to form cation Ionization energy
Metallic property Electronegativity
Atomic size Electron affinity
Reactivity Tendency to form anion
 Sample Problem

A. Using only the periodic table, rank the elements in each of the following sets in
order of decreasing atomic size.
1. Ca, Mg, Sr – Sr > Ca > Mg. Atomic size decreases from bottom to top.
2. K, Ga, Ca – K > Ca > Ga. Atomic size decreases from left to right.
3. Sr, Ca, Rb – Rb > Sr > Ca. Rb is larger than Sr because it is in Period 4 and in
Group 1. Sr is larger than Ca because both of them are in Group 2, but Sr is
in Period 5, which makes it one period higher than Ca, which is located at
Period 4.

B. Using only the periodic table, rank the elements in each of the following sets in
order of decreasing ionization energy.
1. Sb, Te, Sn – Te > Sb > Sn. Sb, Te, and Sn are in Period 5. IE increases across
a period.
2. K, Ca, Rb – Ca > K > Rb. K has a higher IE than Rb because K is higher up
in Group 1A. Ca has a higher IE than K because Ca is farther to the right
in Period 4.

Activity

A. Given the following partial orbital diagrams, (a) identify each element, (b) rank
the four elements in order of increasing atomic size, and (c) rank them in order
of increasing ionization energy:

B. Skill-Building Exercises
1. Arrange each set of atoms in order of increasing atomic size and state the
reason of such arrangement:
a. C, O, Be
b. Cl, K, S
 2. Arrange each set of atoms in order of decreasing ionization energy and state
the reason of such arrangement:
a. Na, Li, K
b. Cl, Ar, Na

References:
Textbook References:

Brown, T.L., LeMay, Jr., H., Bursten, B.E., Murphy, C.J., Woodward, P.M.,
& Stoltzfus, M.W. (2015). Chemistry: The Central Science (13th ed.).
Pearson Education, Inc. p. 212-255.

Silberberg, M.S. (2009). Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and

Change (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 302-336.

Image References:

Silberberg, M.S. (2009). Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and

Change (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 212-215.

https://remm.hhs.gov/RemmMockup_files/f-ionis.gif

https://shorturl.at/tvGH8

https://shorturl.at/clmpK