When electrons fill the energy levels, it fills principal energy
levels, sublevels, atomic orbitals from lowest energy first. Click here
to view the order in which the sublevels are ordered according to energy. Look
carefully and you will see:
some 4 sublevel is lower in energy than a 3 sublevel (i.e. 4s is
lower in energy than 3d; denoted by * in
the energy
diagram)
some 5 or 6 sublevel is lower in energy than a 4 sublevel (i.e. 5p
and 6s are lower in energy than 4f; denoted by arrows
in the energy
diagram)
At first glance it appears that the sequence for electrons to
fill the atomic orbitals are of random order. Read on to find an easier way
to remember the order of atomic orbitals according to energy.
Section
4.8 Arrangement
of the
Electronsin
Sublevels..p91 Section
4.9 Orbitals..p97
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