Ground state electron configurations best describe the distribution of an atom's electrons in its lowest energy shells, subshells, and orbitals.  The way in which electron configurations are derived stems from the Aufbau (meaning "building up") principle; this principle examines the way electrons are added to orbitals for each element in the periodic table.
This module displays the electron configurations of the elements pictorially in orbital boxes and in spectroscopic notation.
 
 

INSTRUCTIONS

To view an element's electron configuration, click on the element in its position on the periodic table.
Last modified: April 13, 2000