Electron configuration of cobalt

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 3, 2024

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁷

Cobalt has a 27 atomic weight, which indicates that it has 27 electrons. The distribution of these electrons within the various shells, subshells, and orbitals follows the principles of electron filling.

Explanation:

Shell 1:

It is made up of just one subshell, designated as 1s, and has two electrons in it. There is no empty space in the 1s subshell.

Shell 2:

Two subshells make up Shell 2:

2s and 2p.

• Two electrons totally fill the 2s subshell.
• Six electrons make up the entire 2p subshell, with two of them occupying each of the three p orbitals (2px, 2py, and 2pz).

Shell 3

Three subshells make up Shell 3:

3s, 3p, and 3d.

• Two electrons totally fill the 3s subshell.
• Six electrons make up the entire 3p subshell, with two of them occupying each of the three p orbitals (3px, 3py, and 3pz).
• Seven electrons make up the third subshell. These electrons are divided into the following five d orbitals: one electron in 3dxz, one electron in 3dyz, two electrons in 3dz², and three electrons in 3dx²-y².

Shell 4:

It has two subshells, designated as 4s and 4p.

• Two electrons totally fill the 4s subshell.
• There are no electrons in the 4p subshell, hence it is empty.

Shell 4d:

The absence of electrons in the 4d orbitals is indicated by the fact that this subshell is also empty.

Table of electronic configuration of cobalt