1. What is Electron Configuration?

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom or ion's atomic orbitals. It follows the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator determines the electron configuration by:

Then distributes electrons following the standard order of orbital filling:

• 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, etc.
• Each s orbital holds 2 electrons
• Each p orbital holds 6 electrons
• Each d orbital holds 10 electrons

3. Importance of Electron Configuration

Details: Electron configuration determines an element's chemical properties, reactivity, and bonding behavior. It explains periodic trends and helps predict how elements will interact.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Select an element from the periodic table and specify its charge (positive for cations, negative for anions, 0 for neutral atoms). The calculator will show the electron configuration of the resulting ion.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why do electron configurations change for ions?
A: Ions have gained or lost electrons, changing their electron count and thus their configuration.

Q2: Which electrons are removed first when forming cations?
A: Valence electrons are removed first, following the reverse of the Aufbau principle (highest n value first).

Q3: How are anions different in electron configuration?
A: Anions have additional electrons that fill the next available orbitals according to standard rules.

Q4: What are noble gas configurations?
A: Many ions achieve stable electron configurations matching the nearest noble gas.

Q5: What are the limitations of this calculator?
A: This simplified version covers only the first 20 elements. For transition metals and higher elements, more complex rules apply.