Orbital Diagrams

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Objective

I can draw orbital diagrams to represent the electron configurations of elements, including transition metals which can have multiple oxidation states.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

Wayne Breslyn (Dr. B.) · 7:07

We don't generate video — this one is by Wayne Breslyn (Dr. B.) 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

    An orbital filling diagram is a representation of where electrons are around the nucleus of an atom.

  2. 2

    The atomic number of an element tells you the number of protons and, in a neutral atom, the number of electrons.

  3. 3

    When drawing orbital diagrams, electrons are added to orbitals following specific rules: s orbitals hold up to 2 electrons, p orbitals hold up to 6 electrons, and d orbitals hold up to 10 electrons.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

12 questions

1

What information do orbital diagrams and electron configurations provide?

2

What does the atomic number of an element tell you, and how is it related to the number of electrons in a neutral atom?

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

Draw the orbital diagram for neutral Iron (Fe).

Sample answer included in the free materials

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

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