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Electron Configuration Calculator - Determine Electron Configuration of Atoms

Electron configuration is the arrangement of electrons in atomic orbitals. Electron filling follows the Aufbau principle (electrons fill lower energy orbitals first), Hund's rule (electrons fill orbitals with parallel spins first), and the Pauli exclusion principle (maximum 2 electrons per orbital with opposite spins). The orbital filling order follows the Moeller diagram: 1s → 2s → 2p → 3s → 3p → 4s → 3d → 4p → 5s → 4d → 5p → 6s → 4f → 5d → 6p... Each s orbital holds a maximum of 2 electrons, p holds 6, d holds 10, and f holds 14 electrons.

Order: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶...

Variables:

  • nPrincipal quantum number
    (e.g.: 1, 2, 3...)
  • lAzimuthal quantum number
    (e.g.: s(0), p(1), d(2), f(3))
  • ZAtomic number
    (e.g.: 26 (Fe))

Categories:

How to Use the Calculator

  1. 1

    Enter Atomic Number

    Enter the element's atomic number (Z = number of electrons).

  2. 2

    Calculate

    Click calculate to get the electron configuration.

  3. 3

    View Result

    See the full electron configuration for that element.

Examples

Iron (Fe)

Problem:

Determine the electron configuration of Iron with atomic number 26.

Solution:
  1. 1.Z = 26 → 26 electrons
  2. 2.Order: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁶
  3. 3.Total: 2+2+6+2+6+2+6 = 26 ✓
Result:1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁶

Iron has 2 valence electrons in 4s and 6 electrons in 3d.

Oxygen (O)

Problem:

Determine the electron configuration of Oxygen (Z=8).

Solution:
  1. 1.Z = 8 → 8 electrons
  2. 2.Order: 1s² 2s² 2p⁴
  3. 3.Total: 2+2+4 = 8 ✓
Result:1s² 2s² 2p⁴

Oxygen has 6 valence electrons (2s² 2p⁴).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are valence electrons?
Valence electrons are electrons in the outermost shell involved in chemical bonding. The number of valence electrons determines an element's chemical properties.
Why is 4s filled before 3d?
According to the Moeller diagram, the 4s orbital has lower energy than 3d, so it fills first. However, when an atom ionizes, 4s electrons are lost first because they are farther from the nucleus.
How do you write electron configuration for ions?
For cations (positive ions), remove electrons from the outermost shell. Example: Fe²⁺ loses 2 electrons from 4s, configuration [Ar] 3d⁶. For anions (negative ions), add electrons to the outermost shell.

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References