MAIN ENERGY LEVELS,
SUBLEVELS, AND
ATOMIC ORBITALS
7.3 of Electronic Structure of an Atom
Objectives
• Understanding Atomic structure
• Recognizing main energy levels
• Comprehending sublevels
• Orbitals
Atom
• Atom is the basic building block of chemistry. It
is the smallest unit of matter that has the
characteristic properties of a chemical element.
• An atom consist of:
- protons Both are in a nucleus
- neutrons
- electrons (orbits around the nucleus)
Energy levels
Energy Levels
• Energy levels (also called electron shells) are fixed
distances from the nucleus of an atom where electrons
may be found.
• Total of 7 Entergy levels
• Each energy level accomodate a specific number of
electrons, and as you move to higher energy levels, the
capacity for electrons increases.
• Electrons are arranged in specific energy levels that
- are labeled n=1, n=2, n=3,... and so on..
- increases energy as n increases
- the electrons with the lowest energy in the first energy
level (n=1) is the closest to the nucleus.
Energy Levels
• Total of 7 Entergy levels
• Electrons are arranged in
specific energy levels that
- are labeled n=1, n= 2, n=3
and so on..
- increases energy as n
increases
- the electrons with the lowest
energy in the first energy level
(n=1) is the closest to the
nucleus.
Sublevels
Sublevels
• Also known as Subshells
• Refer to the different types of orbitals within an
energy level where electrons are likely to be
found.
• The main sublevels are labeled: s, p, d, f levels
and each has a distinct shape and orientation.
Subevels of
Energy levels
• Sublevels are the sub-
divisions within each
energy level.
• The main sublevels are s,
p,d,f levels.
- s sublevel (2 electrons)
- p sublevel (6 electrons)
- d sublevel (10 electrons)
- f sublevel ( 14 electrons)
Atomic Orbitals
Atomic Orbitals
• Electrons can be thought of occupying
regions of space called Atomic Orbitals.
• Atomic Orbitals represents regions of
space where there is 95% probability of
finding an electron.
• Atomic Orbitals can hold a maximum of
2 electrons with opposite spins
(according to the Pauli exclusion
principle).
Pauli exclusion principle
• Pauli's Exclusion Principle states that no more
than two electrons can occupy the same orbital
and two electrons in the same orbital must have
opposite spins.
p Orbitals
A p orbital
• Has a two-lobed shape
• is also one of three p orbitals that make up
each p sublevel and are perpendicular to each
other
• Increases in size as the number of n increases
d Orbitals
A d orbital
• Has a four-lobed shaped (kinda like a clover)
• Increases in size as the number of n increases
f Orbitals
An f Orbital
• It is complexed shaped
• It also increases size as the number of n
increases
Thank you.
Salamat
