Xenon Electron Configuration: 5 Easy Steps on How to Write!

Xenon is a noble gas. Let us learn about the electronic configuration of the xenon.

Xenon has an electronic configuration of [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶. It can be found in group 18, and it has an atomic symbol, ‘Xe,’ and an atomic mass of 131.293 u. It has an atomic number of 54, and electrons are arranged in atomic orbitals to attain an electronic configuration.

This article will cover the ground state and the excited state electronic configuration of xenon. It will also discuss the compound XeF₄ and so much more.

How to Write Xenon Electron Configuration

The electronic configuration of Xenon is [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶. The step-by-step approach to writing the electronic configuration as per Aufbau principle is as follows:

• The first two electrons enter the 1s orbital, which can have a maximum two electrons.
• Next, two electrons enter the 2s orbital, followed by 6 electrons in the 2p orbital.
• Then, 3s, 3p and 4s orbitals are further filled with 2, 6, and 2 electrons respectively. 
• The 3d orbital is filled with 10 electrons, which can have a maximum 10 electrons.
• The 4p and 5s orbitals are filled with 6 and 2 electrons, respectively, followed by 10 in the 4d and 6 in the 5p orbital, making it a total of 54 electrons.

Xenon Electron Configuration Diagram

In the electronic configuration of xenon is [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ where the K shell (n=1) has 2 electrons, the L shell (n=2) has 8 electrons, the M shell (n=3) has 18 electrons, the N shell (n=4) has 18 electrons, and the O shell (n=5) has 8 electrons. The electron configuration diagram of xenon is given below.

Xenon Electron Configuration Notation

The electron configuration of xenon is notated as: [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶ where Kr has an electronic configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶.

Xenon Unabbreviated Electron Configuration

The unabbreviated electronic configuration of xenon is: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶.

Ground State Xenon Electron Configuration

The ground state electronic configuration of xenon is: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ where 4s is filled before 3d and 5s is filled before 4d in ground state electronic configuration. 

Excited State of Xenon Electron Configuration

The excited state electronic configuration of xenon is given as:

• 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁵ 5d¹
• 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴ 5d²
• 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p³ 5d³
• 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s¹ 5p³ 5d⁴

The step-by-step formation of these excited states is explained with the help of the diagram given below.

Ground State Xenon Orbital Diagram

The ground state orbital diagram is formed as per the ground state electronic configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶. 

XeF4 Electron Configuration

In XeF₄

• The electronic configuration of Xe is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴ 5d²
• The electronic configuration of F is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶.
• The hybridization of XeF₄ is sp³d²

Xenon Condensed Electron Configuration

The condensed electronic configuration of xenon is [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶. The key while writing this type of configuration is to find the nearest noble gas. For xenon, the nearest noble gas is Krypton (Kr), having configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶.

Conclusion

The electronic configuration of xenon is [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁶, and the ground state electronic configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶. The hybridisation of XeF₄ is sp³d². The excited state electronic configurations of xenon are:

• 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁵ 5d¹
• 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p⁴ 5d²
• 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p³ 5d³
• 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 5s¹ 5p³ 5d⁴

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