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Science 9
Learning Activity Sheets
Quarter 2-Week 1

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Most Essential Learning Competency

Explain how the quantum Mechanical Model of the atom describes the energies and
positions of the electron. (S9MT-IIa-22)

Specific Objectives:

1. Trace the progression of the atomic model based on the knowledge about electron
and its arrangement;
2. Write the electron configuration of some group A and group B elements using
Mnemonic system and express in unabbreviated form and abbreviated format; and
3. Show orbital notation of some common elements following the three rules in writing
electronic configuration.

BENJIE LOU B. BADA

Writer/Developer
Cabadbaran City National High School

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Name: __________________________________ Grade & Section: ___________________
School: ___________________________________________________________________
Teacher: __________________________________________________________________

What I Need to Know (Concept)

At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were still some skeptics who were
not convinced of the existence of atoms. Since the discovery of radioactivity, physicists have
been probing and smashing atoms. They have devised and developed theories to try to
describe their structure and explain their behavior.
The number of protons in an atom determines the identity of that atom. It also
determines the number of electrons that the atom will have when it is neutral. It is the number
and arrangement of electrons in an atom that determines the atom’s chemical and physical
properties. Our models of the atom have progressed with our knowledge of electrons and their
arrangement:
 John Dalton: No such thing as electrons
 J.J. Thomson: Electrons are embedded in a solid, positively charged matrix.
 Ernest Rutherford: Electrons are found flying rapidly and randomly around the
nucleus in an electron cloud.
 Neil Bohr (applying Max Planck’s idea of quantized energy): Electrons move around
the nucleus in defined, predictable orbits that have certain discrete energy levels called
“quantum levels”. All electrons in a given quantum level are exactly the same distance
from the nucleus so they have exactly the same energy.
 de Broglie (1924): All matter has wave-like properties. For large objects, the wave-
like properties are negligible, but for tiny particles like electrons, the wave-like motion
is significant. This means that the motion of electrons is more complex than a simple
orbit.
 Schrödinger (1926): He applied de Broglie’s wave motion of particles and
Planck/Einstein’s idea of quantized energy particles (photons) to develop a
mathematical model which predicts the motion of electrons around the nucleus of an
atom. Schrödinger called this the “Quantum Mechanical Model” of the atom.
 Heisenberg (1927): He realized that we never know exactly where an electron is going
to be. Remember, electrons are tiny. If we design an experiment to measure an
electron’s energy, we will alter the electron’s motion (path or trajectory). If we design
an experiment to see where an electron is going, we will change its energy.
Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle states that it is impossible to know both an
electron’s position and trajectory (where it is going).

Two models of atomic structure are in use today: the Bohr model and the
quantum mechanical model. The quantum mechanical model is based on mathematics.
Although it is more difficult to understand than the Bohr model, it can be used to explain
observations made on complex atoms. The quantum mechanical model of the atom uses
complex shapes of orbitals (sometimes called electron clouds), volumes of space in
which there is likely to be an electron. So, this model is based on probability rather than

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 certainty. (Dummies, A Willey Brand).
An orbital is defined as a region in three-dimensional space where there is greater
than a 95% probability that an electron will be found. An orbital can hold a maximum of two
electrons. Orbitals are entirely different from orbits. If an object is moving in an orbit- we know
exactly where it is going to be at all times. An orbital does not tell us where an electron is, only
an area where we are likely to find it, 95% of the time.
The shape of the orbital is defined by the motion of the electrons in that orbital.
Within an orbital, there are a maximum of two electrons, with opposite spin (↑↓). The
shape of the orbital and spin of the electrons indicate the electron’s motion (its
mechanics).
In order to describe both an electron’s energy (distance from the nucleus) and how it
is moving, we use:
1. electron configurations
2. orbital diagrams
3. quantum numbers
4. electron density probability graphs which allow us to visualize a “size” and
“shape” for the orbitals.
There are three rules when writing electron configurations:
1. Aufbau Principle: Electrons fill the lowest available energy level (get as close
to the nucleus as possible).
2. Pauli Exclusion Principle: Each orbital holds a maximum of two electrons with
opposite spin.
3. Hund’s Rule: Electrons do not pair up in an orbital until all orbitals of a certain
sub-level are half-filled.

Learning Activities

Activity 1: The Evolution of Atomic Models

Directions: Pictures of scientists below are sequentially arranged on the progression of the
atomic model. Draw a line to connect Column A to Column B and be amazed on
the evolution of atomic model based on the knowledge about electron and its
arrangement.

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 COLUMN A COLUMN B

a. Electrons are embedded in a solid,

positively charged matrix

1.
John Dalton
Photo credit: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=john+dalton&sxsrf

b. No such things as electrons

2.
J.J Thomson
Photo credit: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=j.j+thomson&tbm=isch&ved

c. Electrons moved around the nucleus

in defined, predictable orbits that have
certain discrete energy levels called
“quantum level”.

3.

Rutherford
Photo credit:
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=ernest+rutherford&tbm=isch&ved

d. He proposed that all matter has wave-

like properties, wave-like properties
which is negligible for large objects, but
for tiny particles like electrons, the
wave-like motion is significant.

4.
Neil Bohr

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Photo credit: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=neil+bohr&tbm

e. He stated that electrons are found flying

rapidly and randomly around the nucleus
in an electron cloud.

5.

de Broglie
Photo credit: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=de+broglie&tbm

f. He realized that we never know exactly

where an electron is going to be or says that
we can never know BOTH where an electron
is, and how much energy that electron has.

He proposed the Uncertainty Principle

that it is impossible to know both the
6. position of the electron and its trajectory.

Schrodinger
Photo credit: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=schrodinger&tbm

g. He applied de Broglie’s wave motion of

particles and Planck/Einstein’s idea of
quantized energy particles(photons)to
develop a mathematical model which
predicts the motion of electrons around
the nucleus of the atom and called it
“Quantum Mechanical Model “of the atom.
7.
Heisenberg
Photo credit: https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=heisenberg&tbm

Remember! A model is useful because it helps you understand what’s observed in

nature. It’s not unusual to have more than one model represent and help people
understand a particular topic. (Dummies, A Willey Brand).

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 Activity 2: E-fill In

Directions: Locate the following elements using a periodic table (refer to Fig.1 for the
Periodic Table). Get each atomic number and supply the number of electrons.
Show by writing the electron configuration of the given elements using
Mnemonic system (refer to Fig.2 for the Mnemonic System) and take note of the
unabbreviated and abbreviated form

Table 1: Complete the table.

Atomic # of
Element Electron Configuration
No. electrons

Unabbreviated: 1s2 2s2 2p5

Ex.
Fluorine 9 9
Abbreviated: (He)2s2 2p5

1. Sodium

2. Aluminum

3. Sulfur

4. Lead

5. Platinum

6. Uranium

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Figure 1.Periodic Table of Elements
Photo credit:
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=newest+version+of+periodic+table&sxsrf/

Mnemonic pattern: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14
5d10 6p6 7s2 5f14 6d10 7p6

Figure 2. Mnemonic System

Photo credit:
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=Mnemonic+system+in+writing+electron

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 Activity 3: Let’s Figure It Out

Directions: Write the orbital notation for the given atoms. Use arrow up and arrow down
( ) for orbital notation. Note the given example provided for your answer.

PART A – ELECTRON CONFIGURATIONS AND ORBITAL NOTATIONS

Electron configuration
Symbol # e- Orbital Notation
# of unpaired / unshared electrons
Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
     
1. Mg 12
1s 2s 2p 3s
# of Unpaired/unshared electrons :No unshared electrons

Electron configuration:
__ __ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
2. Ar
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p
# of Unpaired/unshared electrons :_______________
Electron configuration:
__ __ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ __ __ __ __ ___
3. V
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d
# of Unpaired/unshared electrons :_______________
Electron configuration:
__ __ __ __ __ ___ __ __ __ ___ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
4. Ge
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p
Directions: Use noble gas shorthand configuration to determine orbital notations. You only
# of Unpaired/unshared
need to write out orbital electrons
notations for the energy levels :_______________
and sublevels after the noble gas.
Electron
Note the given example configuration:
provided as basis for your answer.
___
5. He
1s
# of Unpaired/unshared electrons :_______________
Assessment
Electron configuration:

Directions: __ understand
Read and ___the
___following
___ statements below. Encircle your chosen answer.
6. N
1s 2s 2p
1. "No two electrons in the same atom can
# of Unpaired/unshared have all:__________
electrons its quantum numbers the same."
This statement is based on the work of _________.

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 Activity 4: Let’s Do the Shortest Way

Directions: Use noble gas shorthand configuration to determine orbital notations. You only
need to write out orbital notations for the energy levels and sublevels after the
noble gas. Note the given example provided as basis for your answer.

Part B – Shorthand Electron Configuration and Orbital Notations

Electron configuration (noble gas shortcut)

Symbol # e-
Orbital Notation

[Kr] 5s2
1. Sr 38 [Kr] 
5s

( Xe)
2. Pb
( Xe) __ __ __ __ ___ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
6s 4f 5d 6p

( Ne)
3. Al
( Ne) __ __ __ __
3s 3p

( Rn)
4. Pu
( Rn) __ __ __ __ ___ __ __

7s 5f

( Xe)
5. Au
( Xe) __ __ __ __ ___ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
6s 4f 5d

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 Assessment

Directions: Read and understand each of the statement below. Encircle your chosen answer.

1. "No two electrons in the same atom can have all its quantum numbers the same." This
statement is based on the work of _________.
A. Louis de Broglie C. Wolfgang Pauli
B. Werner von Heisenberg D Erwin Schrödinger
2. The statement that the ground state configuration of an atom is generated by filling in
levels from the lowest (energy-wise) to the highest with electrons observing the
maximum for each of these levels is __________.
A. the Aufbau principle C. Murphy's rule
B. Hund's Rule D. the Pauli Principle
3. The quantum-mechanical model of the atom __________.
A. describes an electron probability distribution that determines the most likely
location of an electron.
B. is the currently accepted atomic model.
C. makes predictions based on Schrodinger’s wave equation.
D. all of the above
4. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle ____________.
A. assumes that the electrons take positions predicted by Bohr's theory.
B. states that the position of an electron can be found by measuring its
momentum.
C. states that the position and momentum of an electron in an atom cannot be
found precisely because measuring the electron changes its momentum.
D. both A and B
5. __________ orbitals are spherically symmetrical.
A. s B. p C. d D. f
6. ______ orbitals are dumbbell shaped.
A. s B. p C. d D. f
7. All orbitals can hold a maximum of ______ electrons.
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
8. There are __________ orbitals in the second shell.
A. 1 B. 2 C. 4 D. 8
9. Which one of the following is an incorrect orbital notation?
A. 4f B. 2d C. 3s D. 2p
10. The p-orbital can accommodate a maximum of __________ electrons.
A. 6 B. 2 C. 10 D. 3
11. At a maximum, f-orbital can hold_____ electrons, a d-orbital can hold_____
electrons and a p-orbital can hold ________ electrons.
A. 14, 10, 6 B. 2, 8, 18 C. 14, 8, 2 D. 2, 12, 21
12. The electronic configuration of an atom an element with atomic number 8 is...
A. 1s2,2s6 B. 1s2,2s2,2p6 C. 2s2,2p6 D. 1s2,2s2,2p4

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 13. Which one of the following is not the electronic configuration of atom of a noble gas?
A. 1s2 C. 1s2,2s2,2p6
B. 1s2,2s2 D. 1s2,2s2,2p6,3s2,3p6
14. The order of filling orbitals is...__________.
A 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 3d, 4s, 4p B. 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p
C. 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 3d, 4p, 3d D. 4p, 4s, 3d, 3p, 3s, 2p, 2s, 1s
15. In order to occupy the same orbital, two electrons must have
A. the same direction of spin. C. opposite charge.
B. low energy. D. opposite spin.

Enrichment

Activity 5: E-Searching

Directions: Write the full electron configuration and fill in the orbital diagrams for the
following elements.

1. Nitrogen (full)______________________________________________________________
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ____

1s 2s 2p 3s

2. Chlorine______________________________________________________________
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

1s 2s 2p 3s 3p

3. Sodium _________________________________________________________________
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

1s 2s 2p 3s 3p
4. Neon ___________________________________________________________________
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

1s 2s 2p 3s 3p

5. Nickel ______________________________________________________________
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d

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6) Vanadium____________________________________________________________

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d

7) Copper_____________________________________________________________

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s

Credit to :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sDvC_0VbO8e2EDpjOtOSTw9n8dJY6t4n/view

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 Answers Key

Activity 1

1. B 2. A 3. E 4. C 5. D 6. G 7. F

Activity 2

N0. OF
ELEMENT ATOMIC # ELECTRON CONFIGURATION
ELECTRONS

Unabbreviated: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1

1. Na 11 11
Abbreviated: (Ne) 3s1

Unabbreviated: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1

2. Al 13 13
Abbreviated: ( Ne) 3s2 3p1

Unabbreviated: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4

3. S 16 16
Abbreviated: ( Ne) 3s2 3p4

Unabbreviated: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10
4. Pb 82 82 6p2

Abbreviated: ( Xe) 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2

Unabbreviated: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

78 78 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d8
5. Pt
Abbreviated: ( Xe) 6s2 4f14 5d8

Unabbreviated: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2 4f14 5d10
6. U 92 92 6p6 7s2 5f4

Abbreviated: ( Rn) 7s2 5f4

Activity 3

Electron configuration
Symbol # e- Orbital Notation
# of unpaired / unshared electrons
Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
     
Ex. 1. Mg 12
1s 2s 2p 3s
# of Unpaired/unshared electrons :No unshared electrons

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 Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6
        
2. Ar 18
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p
# of Unpaired/unshared electrons No unshared electrons
Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d3
             __ __
3. V 23
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d
# of Unpaired/unshared electrons :3 unpaired electrons
Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p2
              
  __
4. Ge 32
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d
4p
# of Unpaired/unshared electrons :2 unpaired electrons

Electron configuration: 1s2

2 
5. He
1s # of Unpaired/unshared electrons : No
unshared electrons

Electron configuration:1s2 2p2 3p3

    
6. N 27
1s 2s 2p # of Unpaired/unshared electrons :3
unpaired electrons

Activity 4

Part B – Shorthand Electron Configuration and Orbital Notations

Electron configuration (noble gas shortcut)

Symbol # e-
Orbital Notation

[Kr] 5s2
1. Sr 38 [Kr] 
5s

( Xe) 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p2

2. Pb
( Xe)              _ _ __
6s 4f 5d 6p

3. Al ( Ne) 3s2 3p1

( Ne)  _ __ __

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 3s 3p

( Rn)7s2 5f6
4. Pu
( Rn)  _ _ _ _ _ _ __
7s 5f

( Xe)6s2 4f14 5d9

5. Au
( Xe)             _
6s 4f 5d

Assessment

1. C 2. A 3. D 4. C 5. A 6. B 7. B

8. C 9. B 10.A 11. A 12. D 13. B 14. C

15. D
Enrichment

1. Nitrogen (full) 1s2 2s2 2p3

  _ _ _
1s 2s 2p
2. Chlorine 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5

        _
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p
3. Sodium1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1

     _
1s 2s 2p 3s

4. Neon 1s2 2s2 2p6

    
1s 2s 2p

5. Nickel 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d8

             _ _

1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d

6) Vanadium1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d3

          _ _ _ __ __

1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d

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7) Copper1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d9

              _

1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d

References

Online Sources for the Activities:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sDvC_0VbO8e2EDpjOtOSTw9n8dJY6t4n/view

https://www.dummies.com/education/science/chemistry/atomic-structure-the-
quantum-mechanical-model/

https://www.losbanosusd.org/view/10505.pdf

https://www.sgasd.org/cms/lib/PA01001732/Centricity/Domain/121/Practice%20or
btial%20notation%20answers.pdf

https://pattersonscience.weebly.com/uploads/5/1/5/0/5150508/unit_1_lesson_02_d
etailed_class_notes_quantum_mechanical_model_of_the_atom.pdf
Online Sources for the Multiple Choice :

http://kbcc.cuny.edu/academicDepartments/PHYSCI/PL/pdf/Documents/Chapter8R
eviewQuestions.pdf
http://content.njctl.org/courses/science/chemistry/atomic-structure/atomic-
structure- multiple-choice- review-2/atomic-structure-and-electron-configurations-
multiple-choice-review-2015-09-061.pdf
http://www.knockhardy.org.uk/sci_htm_files/mceconf.HTM
https://www.imater.org/ourpages/auto/2018/5/23/41925131/Chapter%205%20for%
20Reg%20_%20Honors.pdf

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