Electron Configuration-(Sn)

[arina_m 1A]

During lecture of Friday, Dr. Lavelle said that the electron configuration of Tin (Sn) was [Kr]4d^10 5s^2 5p^2 why do we write it in this order? Would [Kr]5s^2 4d^10 5p^2 be considered wrong?

[Chem_Mod]

Because it is written in terms of lowest energy. It becomes more important when you consider ions since you would lose the 3rd electron from the 5s orbital, not the 4d orbital. If you write in the latter form, it will be wrong.

[danielruiz1G]

When writing this out just remember that it is written from the lower energy levels to highest so "p,s,d,f" and must be filled in that order.

[Jennifer 1G]

When writing this out just remember that it is written from the lower energy levels to highest so "p,s,d,f" and must be filled in that order.

May you please explain this as the example above shows the order to be d, s and p. Thank you!

[Alejandro Salazar 1D]

When writing this out just remember that it is written from the lower energy levels to highest so "p,s,d,f" and must be filled in that order.

May you please explain this as the example above shows the order to be d, s and p. Thank you!

I'm not sure if this helps. See attachment. You place the d orbital before the s-orbital after the third row.

[chemlover]

I just remember that when writing them, for the energy levels,its f,d,s,p but in general you refer to the orbitals as s,p,d,f