Chapter 1 - The Electron Configuration of Atoms

Abstract

Since the knowledge of the electron configuration of elements is necessary for understanding the nature of chemical bonding, and in turn the structure of a perfectly ordered, periodic arrangement of atoms or ions, it is discussed in the first chapter. This chapter starts with the basic knowledge concerning the construction of the electron configuration of elements, and it proceeds to fairly advanced interpretations to understand the related issues. Moreover, although this chapter does not give detailed derivation of the Schrödinger’s wave equation, the spirit of this equation is presented, wherein the quantum numbers can be clearly defined and the electron density contours are well represented. Furthermore, on the basis of the comparison of the radial distribution functions, the significant influence of the penetration and shielding of electrons on constructing the electron configuration, especially, the energetic d-orbital collapse of 3d transition elements, can be perceived. The interpretation of the electron configuration of the half-filled and fully-filled 3d transition elements has been updated. This chapter is by no means intended to be comprehensive but to lend support to the fundamentals that are referred to in Section 3.4 of chapter 3 concerning d electron effects on crystal fields.