Electron Configuration and Quantum Numbers

Free to teach as-is — the teacher guide, student handout, and slides are included.

Free — we'll email you an access link. Google Docs format.

Objective

I can determine the electron configuration of an element using quantum numbers.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

Professor Dave Explains · 4:01Vetted channel

We don't generate video — this one is by Professor Dave Explains on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    De Broglie suggested that if waves can behave like particles, then particles must also behave like waves, meaning all matter has a wavelength.

  2. 2

    Schrödinger developed quantum mechanics to describe the wave mechanics of the electron, leading to the understanding that electrons exist as a cloud of probability density.

  3. 3

    Heisenberg's uncertainty principle states that the more we know about an electron's location, the less we know about its momentum, and vice versa, which is an inherent quality of the electron.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

12 questions

1

According to de Broglie, what property do all matter particles exhibit?

2

Why is the wave nature of a baseball not readily observable?

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

Explain how the uncertainty principle limits our knowledge of an electron's location and momentum.

Sample answer included in the free materials

Get the materials

Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format

  • Teacher Guide

    Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities

  • Student Handout

    Printable worksheet

  • Slides

    Ready to present

We'll ask for your email to send your access link — nothing else.

Teaching a group at a different level?

Where are your students right now? We'll rebuild this lesson to match — including the teacher guide, student handout, and slides, saved to your Google Drive.

Adapt This Lesson