In atomic physics and quantum chemistry, the electron configuration is the distribution of electrons of an atom or molecule (or other physical structure) in atomic or molecular orbitals.

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Why does Oxygen not like to be doubly Anionized?

The Electron Affinity of a neutral Oxygen atom is -142 KJ (it releases this energy). The Electron Affinity for the now anionized Oxygen is 710 KJ (Work must be done on the atom). My question is, why ...
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Why is there a max radius for an orbit of an electron around a nucleus?

Why is there a max radius for an orbit of an electron around a nucleus ? I had a course in electromagnetism but I do not get this.
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Explain Platinum's electronic configuration

Why is the electronic configuration of Platinum is [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1 ? And not this? [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s0 or [Xe] 4f14 5d8 6s2
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How can one explain Niobium’s weird electronic configuration?

As cited in an answer to this question, the ground state electronic configuration of Niobium is: Nb: [Kr] 5s1 4d4 Why is that so? What factors stabilize this configuration, compared to the ...
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Is half-full rule and full rule allowed on 6th and 7th period?

Is half-full rule and full rule allowed on 6th and 7th period? Note: Half-full rules is Hund Rules. Example: What is the right electron configuration? $W [Xe] 6s^2 4f^{14} 5d^4$ (doesn't use half ...
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What determines the electronegativity of an element?

Is it possible to work out without post-Bohrian mathematics?
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Lewis dot structures and exceeding the octet

I'm confused about the octet rule. As far as I understand, you need to complete the valence shell of the elements by sharing electrons. Now, carbon has 6 electrons which means it has 4 valence ...
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Is the order of orientation of electron box diagrams meaningful or arbitrary?

Here is my interpretation when asked to: By drawing arrows in the appropriate boxes, complete the outer electron structures for Cu and Cu2+ I had no problem in drawing out the electron ...
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Can an atom have more than 8 valence electrons? If not, why is 8 the limit?

According to some chemistry textbooks, the maximum number of valence electrons for an atom is 8, but the reason for this is not explained. So, can an atom have more than 8 valence electrons? If ...
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Is the Springborg 6D phase space model used in modern molecular orbital modeling?

In a series of papers in the early 1980s, Michael Springborg explored an interpretation of the Wigner phase space function as an electron density in a six-dimensional $(q,p)$ phase space. He applied ...
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Are there any major exceptions when comparing electron affinity?

I was tasked with figuring out whether Carbon or Nitrogen has a more negative electron affinity value. I initially picked Nitrogen, just because Nitrogen has a higher Z$_{eff}$, creating a larger ...
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Why do elements in columns 6 and 11 assume 'abnormal' electron configurations?

When I look around for why copper and chromium only have one electron in their outermost s orbital and 5/10 in their outermost d orbital, I'm bombarded with the fact that they are more stable with a ...
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How is Vanadium's 3+ ion paramagnetic?

"Both Vanadium and its 3+ ion are paramagnetic. Use electron configuration to explain why this is so" The electron configuration of Vanadium is [Ar] 4s2 3d3. If drawn in a box diagram, it would ...