Block e- configuration Group (IUPAC) Group (CAS)

s n s 1-2 1, 2, He I A, II A, VIII A

p n s 1-2 n p 1-6 13 - 18 III A - VIII A

d (n-1) d 1-10 n s 1-2 3 - 12 III B - VIII B, I B, II B

f (n-2) f 1–14 (n-1) d 0-1 ns 2 3 III B

Often you will be given the atomic numbers of elements (sometimes, just the names of
elements, if you are one with rotten luck), and be asked to position them in the periodic
table by their period and group number. Determining the period number is pretty
simple - you only need to figure out the number of shells in the atom. To find out the
group number, the following procedures should be used:
1. Determine the electronic structure of the atom and match it with one of the given
patterns in the table.
2. The group number is given by:
The number of electrons in the last s subshell for s block elements.
The number of electrons in the last s subshell plus the number of electrons in the
last p subshell for p block elements.
For d block elements, let n = number of electrons in d subshell + number of
electrons in s subshell.
If n ϵ { 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 }, groups are correspondingly III B - VII B.
If n ϵ { 8, 9, 10 }, the group number is VIII B.
If n ϵ { 11, 12 }, groups are correspondingly I B and II B.

Example: Fe (26) -> [Ar] 4s2 3p6 Group = 2 + 6 = 8 = VIII B

Example: Cu (29) -> [Ar] 4s1 3d10 Group = 1 + 10 = 11 = I B

N.B.: Please try a few of them from the periodic table yourselves. Let me know whether
you face issues.