The Outermost Electrons of Elements

The Chemistry of Art > 3. Electrons in the Atom > The Outermost Electrons of Elements >

Explain the relationship between the elements with outermost electrons assigned to s, p, d and f blocks and the organisation of the Periodic Table

In the periodic table:

  • Similar outer shell electron configurations reoccur at regular intervals
  • Electrons in similar configurations display similar chemical properties
  • Elements with similar outer shell electron configurations occur in the same vertical group
    • g Group 1 has s1 as outermost shell
    • g Group 13 has s2p1 outer shell configurations
  • As a result the periodic table is divided into four distinct blocks

  • To determine filling order
    • Going from top left then across successive rows