Atomic Diagram and Mnemonic Device

By: Trisha Kate Nagao

Atomic Diagram
Atomic Diagram is one of the types of electron configuration which is the shorthand description of the arrangement of electrons by sublevels.

I n

In fact, electron shell energy sublevel surrounds the nucleus of an atom that denotes the location of electrons and the subdivision of a principal energy level which is designated by: s (sharp) which has maximum number of electrons of 2 or (2e-); p (principal) which has a maximum number of electrons of 6 (6e-); d (diffuse) which has a maximum number of electrons of 10 (10e-); f (fundamental) which has a maximum number of electrons of 14 (14e-)

Moreover, every subshell has maximum number of electrons per shell which are denoted by: Maximum Number of Electrons Per Shell K L M N O P Q R 2e8e18e32e32e18e8e2eHere is an example of Atomic Diagram: 1. 55e- = 2)8)18)18)8)1 HEL= 6 Period=6 Group= I Valence Electron-= 1 e-

Always remember that the HEL or highest energy level must not exceed 8 and it is also equal to the period of an atom. Also, the group number and valence electron are also equal to each other and only ranges from 1-8. You must also write the group number in Roman Numerals. We can also determine the location of an element through atomic diagram. Like an element containing 55 e- which is in period 6 and group number 1, we can say that it is Cesium. It is in the 6th period which means it is located along the 6th row in the periodic table. Its group number is 1, so we can find it in the 1st column in the periodic table. But, the group number can be also Group A or B. We can determine whether its in group A or B by using other ways like Mnemonic device and Core Notation. But, there is an exception using Atomic Diagram. This type of shorthand way is not applicable in elements that have atomic number of:

27-30 45-48 60-71

77-80 94-103 109-112

Mnemonic Device
Mnemonic Device is another way to determine the arrangement of electrons by sublevels that is mainly concerned to the sub-energy levels. s sub-energy level carries 1 to 2 electrons, p which carries electrons up to 6 e-, d that carries electrons up to 10e-, and f that carries electrons up to 14e-.

In addition, we can determine the highest energy level, period, group number and valence electron of an element through the use of Mnemonic Device as well as determining if an element belongs to group A or B.

Here are the rules in determining an element belonging to group A or B: Group A: - Ends in s and p subshells - Ends in s subshell - Ends in p subshell - Ends in f11 to f14 S2f11 = 2+11=13 13-10=3 (IIIA) 2 12 S f = 2+12=14 14-10=4 (IVA) 2 13 S f = 2+13=15 15-10=5 (VA) 2 14 S f = 2+14=16 16-10=6(VIA)

REMEMBER!
- The valence electrons that have a sum of 11 and above must be subtracted to 10 to have its valence electron and group number. -Valence electron and group number only range from 1-8. Group B: - Ends in d subshells whether it is complete or incomplete. - Ends in f11 to f14 S2d6 = 2+6=8 S2d7= 2+7=9 S2d8= 2+8= 10

VIII-B

S2d9= 2+9=11 11-10= 1 (IB) S2d10 = 2+10=12 12-10= 2 (IIB)

Ends in f1 subshell f10 S2f6= 2+6=8 S2f7= 2+7=9 S2f8= 2+8=10 S2f9= 2+9=11 11-10=1 (IB) 2 10 S f = 2+10=12 12-10=2 (IIB) Here is an Example of Electronic Configuration using Mnemonic Device:

VIII-B

1.

11 e- = 1s22s22p63s1 HEL= 3 Period= 3 Group= IA Valence e- = 1 e-

The highest energy level and period of the element is 3 and the valence electron is 1 which is equal to the group number. Since it ends in s subshell, it is under group A. Thus, it belongs to group IA in the periodic table.