Question

How do you determine the electron configuration of iron?

Answer 1

Place the 26 electrons of Iron into the electron orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to the next highest until all 26 have been used. ( `1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2 3d^6`)

Explanation:

1s is the lowest energy level and can hold 2 electrons.
2s is next and can hold 2 electrons total of 4
2p is next and can hold 6 electrons total of 10
3s is next and can hold 2 electrons total of 12
3p is next and can hold 6 electrons total of 18
4s is next and can hold 2 electrons total of 20
3d is next and can hold all 6 remaining electrons total 26
(3d can hold up to 10 electrons.)