Electron Mnemonic

1. Electron Mnemonic Christina Liao

2. Electron Configuration How many electrons can fit into each orbital? How many electrons can fit into each type of subshell? 2 s2 p6 d10 f14

3. So how do you remember that?

4. …You can use a periodic table

5. But you don’t always have a periodic table So you can use quantum numbers If the principal quantum number equals zero, then there are no orbitals. If the principal quantum number equals one, then the angular momentum quantum number will equal zero, and the magnetic quantum number will equal zero, which means that there is one orbital. Because there is one orbital, this subshell can hold two electrons. If the principal quantum number equals two, then the angular momentum quantum number will equal zero or one, and the magnetic quantum number will equal negative one, zero, or one, which means that there are three orbitals. Because there are three orbitals, this subshell can hold six electrons. If the principal quantum number equals three, then the angular momentum quantum number will equal zero, one or two, and the magnetic quantum number will equal either negative two, negative one, zero, one, or two, which means that there are five orbitals. Because there are five orbitals, this subshell can hold blah blahblah… In short, the number of orbitals is determined by the magnetic quantum number. Multiply the number of orbitals by two to get the number of electrons.

6. But you might not remember that, So Ponies Disallowed Fingerpointing

7. So • 2 letters • s orbital holds up to two electrons SO GOOD!

8. Ponies • 6 letters • p orbital can hold maximum of 6 electrons 6 Ponies 6 Letters 6 Electrons

9. Disallowed • 10 letters • d orbital can hold maximum of 10 electrons No Nicht Ne Non Nie Bu ノー

10. Fingerpointing • 14 letters • f orbital can hold maximum of 14 electrons POW