Draw and Explain the Orbital Diagram for Copper (Z = 29)

Copper, with the atomic number 29, has a unique electron configuration that can be illustrated through its orbital diagram. The electron configuration of copper is typically written as [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹.

To draw the orbital diagram for copper, we need to show the distribution of its electrons across the atomic orbitals:

1s: ↑↓
2s: ↑↓
2p: ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓
3s: ↑↓
3p: ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓
4s: ↑
3d: ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓ ↑↓

In this diagram:

• The 1s orbital is filled with 2 electrons represented by the two arrows pointing in opposite directions.
• The 2s and 3s orbitals also each hold 2 electrons.
• The 2p and 3p orbitals contain 6 electrons total, distributed with pairs in three degenerate orbitals.
• The 4s orbital has 1 electron, which is notable because it is filled before the 3d orbital starts to fill.
• The 3d orbital is fully filled with 10 electrons.

The unique electron configuration of copper is a result of the stability associated with a filled 3d subshell and a partially filled 4s subshell. This arrangement gives copper its characteristic properties, including its electrical conductivity and malleability. The presence of a single electron in the 4s orbital allows for various oxidation states, making copper a versatile element in chemical reactions.