Orbital Diagrams
Learning Objective
I can draw orbital diagrams to represent the electron configurations of elements, including transition metals which can have multiple oxidation states.
Key Concepts
An orbital filling diagram is a representation of where electrons are around the nucleus of an atom.
The atomic number of an element tells you the number of protons and, in a neutral atom, the number of electrons.
When drawing orbital diagrams, electrons are added to orbitals following specific rules: s orbitals hold up to 2 electrons, p orbitals hold up to 6 electrons, and d orbitals hold up to 10 electrons.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 12 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. What information do orbital diagrams and electron configurations provide?
2. What does the atomic number of an element tell you, and how is it related to the number of electrons in a neutral atom?
3. Draw the orbital diagram for neutral nitrogen (N).
...and 9 more questions
Educational Video
How to Write Orbital Filling Diagrams for Atoms: Examples & Practice
Wayne Breslyn (Dr. B.)