Question

Can anyone please explain how the spdf configuration of electrons work?​

Answer 1

Explanation:

s, p, d, f and so on are the names given to the orbitals that hold the electrons in atoms. These orbitals have different shapes (e.g. electron density distributions in space) and energies (e.g. 1s is lower energy than 2s which is lower energy than 3s; 2s is lower energy than 2p).

Answer 2

Answer:

These subshells are called as s, p, d, or f. The s-subshell can fit 2 electrons, p-subshell can fit a maximum of 6 electrons, d-subshell can fit a maximum of 10 electrons, and f-subshell can fit a maximum of 14 electrons. The first shell has only an s orbital, so its called as 1s.

Introducing spdf Notation

In the last post, Schrodinger’s Model was mentioned. This model depicts that electrons are constantly moving and do not stay fixed as in Bohr’s model. This model also defines discrete energy levels but as a probability function for where electrons are likely to be found, this is called an orbital also known as sublevels. Main things to take away about orbitals are that:

There are different orbital shapes (s,p,d,f)

Each orbital can only hold 2 electrons max

There is a hierarchy, i.e. s orbitals will be filled before p orbitals which will be filled before d orbitals and so on. (s<p<d<f) (note, this is a general rule but there are exceptions)

When you ascend to a new energy level, pre-existing orbitals will stay with the element but the sublevels for that principal energy level will restart at s (e.g. Helium has 1s2, Lithium has 1s2 2s1, Magnesium has 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2)