The periodic table

Each principle energy level, or shell (1,2,3,4,5,6,7), has a different collection of of orbital sublevels (s,p,d,f).

Electrons fill in from the bottom -- Level 1.

The more electrons in an atom, the higher level they fill.

  • 1: s
  • 2: s,p
  • 3: s,p,d
  • 4: s,p,d,f
  • 5: s,p,d,f,(g)
  • 6: s,p,d,f,(g,h)
  • 7: s,p,d,f,(g,h,i)

  • s orbitals hold 2 electrons
  • p orbitals hold 6 electrons
  • d orbitals hold 10 electrons
  • f orbitals hold 14 electrons

    Back Next

    Back to Lecture 5 outline

    Back to main lectures page

    Back to main course page