2.

ATOMIC STRUCTURE
Juan Fernando Velasco Forero
Chemist
 2.2 Electron Configuration
Understandings
➔ Emission spectra are produced when photons are emitted from atoms
as excited electrons return to a lower energy level.
➔ The line emission spectrum of hydrogen provides evidence for the
existence of electrons in discrete energy levels, which converge at higher
energies.
➔ The main energy level or shell is given an integer number, n, and can
hold a maximum number of electrons, 2n2.
➔ A more detailed model of the atom describes the division of the main
energy level into s, p, d, and f sublevels of successively higher energies.
➔ Sublevels contain a fixed number of orbitals, regions of space where
there is a high probability of finding an electron.
Applications and skills
➔ Description of the relationship between colour, wavelength,
frequency, and energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Distinction between a continuous spectrum and a line spectrum.
➔ Description of the emission spectrum of the hydrogen atom,
including the relationships between the lines and energy
transitions to the first, second, and third energy levels.
➔ Recognition of the shape of an s atomic orbital and the p , p XY Z
, and p atomic orbitals.
➔ Application of the Aufbau principle, Hund's rule, and the Pauli
exclusion principle to write electron configurations for atoms and
ions up to Z = 36.

➔ Each orbital has a defined energy state for a given electron

configuration and chemical environment and can hold two electrons of
opposite spin.

Nature of science
➔ Developments in scientific research follow improvements in apparatus - the use of electricity and magnetism in Thomson's cathode rays.
➔ Theories being superseded - quantum mechanics is among the most current models of the atom.
➔ Use theories to explain natural phenomena - line spectra explained by the Bohr model of the atom.
 2.2.1 The arrangement of electrons in
atoms
• At the simplest level of explanation, the electrons in an atom are arranged in energy levels (shells)
around the nucleus.

Available:IB Chemistry Coursebook page 62

Electron configuration

Available:IB Chemistry Coursebook page 78

Available : https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
q74fxlnIbbQ/XX_ZoxZDfJI/AAAAAAAAdYw/dG9Dnwy7nFQl8flumjhsqQJnJyJU9KAbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Bloques_small.png
 Support Video
Electron Configuration of Atom
• https://byjus.com/chemistry/electron-configuration/
Electrons configuration
• https://youtu.be/thnDxFdkzZs
The s and p atomic orbitals
• An S orbital is spherically symmetrical. The sphere represents a boundary surface, meaning that
within the sphere there is a 99% chance or probability of finding an electron.
• The P orbitals have a dumb-bell shape. The three p orbitals are arranged along the x, y and z axes in space.

IB Chemistry Coursebook page 56

Principles and rules in electronic
configuration
• The Aufbau principle states that electrons fill the lowest-energy
orbital that is available first.
• The Pauli exclusion principle states that any orbital can hold a
maximum of two electrons, and these electrons have opposite
spin.
• Hund's rule of maximum multiplicity states that when filling
degenerate orbitals (orbitals of equal energy), electrons fill all
the orbitals singly before occupying then1 in pairs.

1) IB Chemistry Coursebook page 59- 60

The electromagnetic spectrum
• The developments that have led to much of our understanding
of the electronic structure of the atom have con1e fron1
experiments involving light. Visible light, the light we see, is full
of scientific intrigue. Visible light is one type of electromagnetic
radiation. Other examples include radio waves, microwaves,
infrared radiation (IR), ultraviolet radiation (UV), X-rays, and
gamma rays. The electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) is a
spectrum of wavelengths that comprise the various types of
electromagnetic radiation.

1) IB Chemistry Coursebook page 62

The electromagnetic spectrum

1) IB Chemistry Coursebook page 67

 Support Video
• Use the following video to delve into the topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfXzwh3KadE&ab_channel=Best0fScience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQcbLwGT8w0&ab_channel=Infoclima
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bpmI3wdqW8&ab_channel=7activestudio
https://youtu.be/pj_ya0e20vE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjy-eqWM38g&ab_channel=CrashCourse

Important video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxSmgkO-

qhM&ab_channel=MinisterioTICColombia
Absorption, emission and continuous
spectra

Available: https://co.pinterest.com/pin/764486105473144689/
Quantization of energy
• The precise lines in the line emission of an element have specific wavelengths. Each
characteristic wavelength corresponds to a discrete amount of energy. This is the basis of
quantization, the idea that electromagnetic radiation comes in discrete "parcels" or
quanta. A photon is a quantum of radiation, and the wavelength, 𝜆, and energy, E, of a
photon are related by the equation:

ℎ𝑐
𝐸 = ℎ𝑣 =
𝜆
where:
h = Planck's constant = 6.63 x 10- 34 J s
v = frequency of the radiation
c = speed of light= 3.00 x 10 -8 m s- 1

IB Chemistry Coursebook page 53

The quantum mechanical model of the
atom (Bohr theory)
• Bohr suggested that each orbitals a definite energy associated with it: the energy
of the electron orbiting the positively charged center in a particular orbit is fixed or
quantized. The energy of the electron in a particular orbit is given by the
expression:
1
𝐸 = −𝑅𝐻 ( 2)
𝑛
where:
RH = Rydberg constant = 2 .18 x 10- 18 J
n = principal quantum number, with positive integer values 1, 2, 3, 4, ... depending on
the orbit or energy level the electron occupies

IB Chemistry Coursebook page 53-54

How an emission spectrum is form
• Passing an electric discharge through a gas causes an electron to be promoted to a higher energy
level (shell)

IB Chemistry Coursebook page 64

• The electron is unstable in this higher level and will fall to a lower energy
level (Figure 1). As it returns from a level at energy E2 to E1, the extra
energy (E2 − E1) is given out in the form of a photon of light. This
contributes to a line in the spectrum.
• The energy levels can also be shown as in Figure 2.

Fig. 2
Fig. 1
IB Chemistry Coursebook page 64
 a Electrons in energy levels: only b If the electrons in an atom could have
transitions between two discrete any energy, all transitions would be
energy levels are possible, and a line possible. This would result in a
spectrum is produced. continuous spectrum.
IB Chemistry Coursebook page 65
 Different series of lines
• Figure shows a representation of the emission spectrum of hydrogen across the infrared, visible and
ultraviolet regions. The series in each region consists of a set of lines that get closer together at higher
frequency. Each series is named after its discoverer.
• The different series of lines occur when electrons fall back down to different energy levels.

IB Chemistry Coursebook page 65

 Different series of lines
• Figure shows a representation of the emission spectrum of hydrogen across the infrared, visible and
ultraviolet regions. The series in each region consists of a set of lines that get closer together at higher
frequency. Each series is named after its discoverer.
• The different series of lines occur when electrons fall back down to different energy levels.

IB Chemistry Coursebook page 65

 Support Video
• Use the following video to delve into the topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhxjQ3-gYko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BXvc9W97iU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU6VqGIc-2Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vK5KPycEvA&t=1
51s
Thanks For Your Attention