Question

why we write14 in third shell when we write electronic configuration of iron

Answer 1

Iron's configuration is: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d6. You can note from the configuration, 4s gets filled up before 3d . The reason behind this is lower energy orbitals are filled up first. Even though 4s belongs to 4th shell, still its energy is less than 3d which can be reasoned out by (n+l) rule. 4s energy is less than 3d, hence the two electrons which you expected to be going to 3d goes to 4s before 3d filling starts. Hence you end up having 14 electrons in 3rd shell and 2 electron in 4s. Remember 4s got filled up before 3d and the reason is 4s energy is less than that of 3d.

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Answer 2

Iron's configuration is: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d6. You can note from the configuration, 4s gets filled up before 3d . The reason behind this is lower energy orbitals are filled up first. Even though 4s belongs to 4th shell, still its energy is less than 3d which can be reasoned out by (n+l) rule. 4s energy is less than 3d, hence the two electrons which you expected to be going to 3d goes to 4s before 3d filling starts. Hence you end up having 14 electrons in 3rd shell and 2 electron in 4s. Remember 4s got filled up before 3d and the reason is 4s energy is less than that of 3d.
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