How do you work out an electron configuration?

A full electron configuration shows the amount of electrons in each shell and subshell of an element or ion. Shells (also called energy levels) progress from 1 to 4, with 1 being the closest to the centre of the atom or ion and 4 being the furthest away. We usually fill from the inside out. Shell 1 can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, for shell 2 this is 8, for 3 this is 18 and for 4 this is 32 (although you won't need to work out any shell 4 for A Level).The Electron subshells progress from s to p to d to f. At A Level the highest a question will ask you to go up to is d subshell. A s subshell can hold up to 2 electrons, a p subshell can hold up to 6 and a d subshell can hold up to 10. We work up the subshells in order from s to p to d, with a slight exception I will mention later. So, with the maximum number of electrons able to be held in shell 1 being 2, there is one s subshell in shell 1. Shell 2 can hold 8 electrons which means it contains both an s subshell and a p subshell. Shell 3 can hold 18 electrons, representing a s, p and d subshell.So, for example, if we were to show the electron configuration of carbon, which has 6 electrons, we would demonstrate it like this: 1s2 2s2 2p2

LB
Answered by Lauren B. Chemistry tutor

2265 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

State what is meant by the term 'first ionisation energy' and explain why the first ionisation energy of barium is lower than that of calcium


How do I predict the shape of a molecule?


Draw the reaction mechanism for the formation of ethanol from bromoethane and water and name the mechanism.


How are London forces (Van Der Waals) formed?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning