3.4.4 - Electron Configuration and the Periodic Table
There is a pattern between the electron configuration for the
elements and their positions on the periodic table. You should take a look at
section 3.6.3 and look closely
at the first 20 elements. Compare the electron configuration of an element and
its position on the periodic table.
Elements belonging in Group IA (eg - H, Li,
Na, K) all have electron configuration ending in ns1
(the superscript of '1' indicates there is 1
valence electron for elements belonging to Group IA).
Elements belonging in Group IIA (eg - Be,
Mg, Ca) all have electron configuration ending in ns2 (the superscript of '2' indicates there are 2
valence electrons for elements belonging to Group IIA).
Elements belonging in Group IIIA (eg - B,
Al) all have electron configuration ending in ns2np1
(the superscripts total to '3' indicates there are 3
valence electrons for elements belonging to Group IIIA).
Elements belonging in Group IVA (eg - C, Si)
all have electron configuration ending in ns2np2
(the superscripts total to '4' indicates there are 4
valence electrons for elements belonging to Group IVA).
Elements belonging in Group VA (eg - N, P)
all have electron configuration ending in ns2np3
(the superscripts total to '5' indicates there are 5
valence electrons for elements belonging to Group VA).
Elements belonging in Group VIA (eg - O, S)
all have electron configuration ending in ns2np4
(the superscripts total to '6' indicates there are 6
valence electrons for elements belonging to Group VIA).
Elements belonging in Group VIIA (eg - F,
Cl) all have electron configuration ending in ns2np5
(the superscripts total to '7' indicates there are 7
valence electrons for elements belonging to Group VIIA).
Elements belonging in Group VIIIA (eg - He,
Ne, Ar) all have electron configuration ending in ns2np6
(the superscripts total to '8' indicates there are 8
valence electrons for elements belonging to Group VIIIA).