7 Steps On Protactinium Electron Configuration:How to Write!

The electron configuration of a periodic element expresses the arrangement of the electrons in the atomic orbitals. Let us discuss about the electron configuration of protactinium.

The electronic configuration of Protactinium is [Rn] 5f² 6d¹ 7s². It is actinide with atomic number 91 and symbol Pa. One of the most expensive and rare naturally occurring elements, having a silvery-gray luster that lasts for a long time. It has a paramagnetic ability. Commonly found in the +5 and +4 oxidation state.

In this article, the criteria used to portray the protactinium electron configuration will be highlighted, along with orbital diagrams and other images of the element.

How to write protactinium electron configuration

Following is a step-by-step description of how to write an electron configuration:

• Step 1: At first the shell number is written.
• Two electrons are located in the S orbital of its seventh electron shell.
• Step 2: The next action is to indicate the orbitals designated as s, p, d, and f where s orbital has the largest ability to contain two electrons and the p, d, and f orbitals can each carry six, ten, or fourteen electrons respectively.
• The orbitals are represented by the following notation: 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 3d 4s 4p 4d 4f 5s.
• Step 3: Subscripts are used as the last representation to complete the writing of the electron configuration.
• The final configuration is written as follows.
• 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f² 6s² 6p⁶ 6d¹ 7s².         

Protactinium electron configuration diagram:

The electron configuration of erbium can be illustrated using the Aufbau principle as follows –

  

Protactinium electron configuration notation

The notation for electron configuration of Protactinium is [Rn] 5f² 6d¹ 7s². It shows that there are two electrons in its fifth shell’s f orbital, one in sixth shell’s d orbital, and two in the seventh shell’s S orbital.

Protactinium unabbreviated electron configuration

The unabbreviated protactinium electronic setup is-

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f² 6s² 6p⁶ 6d¹ 7s²

• There 2 electrons present in 1s ,2s,3s,4s,5s,6s and 7s orbitals.
• 6 electrons present in 2p,3p,4p,5p and 6p orbitals respectively.
• 10 electrons are present in 3d,4d and 5d orbitals.
• 14 electrons are present in 4f orbitals.
• 2 electrons are present in 5f orbitals.
• 1 electron is filled in 6d orbitals.

Ground state protactinium electron configuration

The electron configuration of protactinium in its ground state is [Rn] 5f² 6d¹ 7s².

Excited state of protactinium electron configuration

The electron configuration of protactinium in its excited state is [Rn] 5f² 6d¹.

Ground state protactinium orbital diagram

In the ground state of Protactinium atom is found to have filled s and p orbitals, however its d and f orbitals only store one and two electrons, respectively. In both a clockwise and an anticlockwise manner , as shown below :

Conclusion

Protactinium atom having atomic number 91, with 2 valence electrons. The number of electrons occupied by various orbitals with varied energy levels is used to describe the electronic configuration of an atom. The filling of orbitals will be preceding in accordance with Aufbau principle rule.

Also Read:

• Lead electron configuration
• Actinium electron configuration
• Gadolinium electron configuration
• Iridium electron configuration
• Berkelium electron configuration
• Bromine electron configuration
• Silicon electron configuration
• Strontium electron configuration
• Magnesium electron configuration
• Ruthenium electron configuration