What information is lost when using electron configurations instead of orbital diagrams?

Question

korosh23 · Answer

@matt101

korosh23 · Answer

For this, in my opinion the number of orbitals is lost.

matt101 · Answer

When you say electron configuration, are you referring to something like [Ne]3s^2 3p^3?

korosh23 · Answer

Yes, but that is core notation. It is like this:
Carbon  1s^2  2s^2  2p^2

matt101 · Answer

Ok just making sure we're on the same page.

The only thing I can think of is that the orbital diagram shows you which electrons are paired or unpaired, which is useful for figuring out how many bonds can form and what sort of hybridizations (if any) there will be as a result. You can't get that from looking at electron configuration alone.

korosh23 · Answer

Ok, but I am grade 11 in high school and we are not yet studying about hybridiation and other stuff. About the paired and unpaired electrons. It is a good point. What about the number of orbitals. In orbital diagram we know about the number of orbitals, but not in electron configuration.

matt101 · Answer

You could say that too, although you can infer the number of orbitals based on the sublevel (e.g. s will have 1, p will have 3, etc). I'm not a fan of these kinds of questions to be honest lol

korosh23 · Answer

haha I know. Ok. Can I ask one more question, it is simple, but I want to make sure.

korosh23 · Answer

How many unpaird electrons are in a sulfur atom> What do you beed to answer this question- an orbital diagram or an electrons configuration?
I know the answer to the first part, but about the second question it is orbital diagram for sure? Can it be both?

matt101 · Answer

I'd go with orbital diagram for you

korosh23 · Answer

Ya I agree with you!

korosh23 · Answer

Thx buddy! :)