Electron configuration of copper

Electronic configuration of copper is represented by the symbols [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹. Copper possesses 29 electrons because of its atomic number of 29. Copper’s Let’s now examine the electronic configuration of copper:

Electron shells:

Copper has a number of them. Numbers are used to represent the shells. Copper has the following electron shells:

First shell:

Unimportant to copper’s electronic setup.

Second shell:

Unimportant to copper’s electronic setup.

The third shell is made up of the shells 3s, 3p, and 3d.
The fourth shell contains the fourth subshell.

Orbitals and subshells:

There are sub-shells, identified by letters, within each shell. Additionally, the sub-shells include orbitals, which are denoted by numbers. In the electronic configuration of copper:

The third shell:

One orbital is present in the 3s subshell.
Three orbitals make up the 3p subshell.
There are 5 orbitals in the third subshell.

The fourth shell:

One orbital is present in the 4s subshell.

Table of electronic configuration of copper

Shell	Sub-shell	Orbital
1	–	–
2	–	–
3	3s	1
	3p	3
	3d	5
4	4s	1
	4p	–
	4d	–
	4f	–
5	–	–
6	–	–
7	–	–

Note:

Copper has the electrical configuration [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹, which denotes that there are 10 electrons entirely occupied in the 3d sub-shell of the third shell, while only one electron is present in the 4s sub-shell of the fourth shell. This partially filled 3D sub-shell adds to copper’s distinctive qualities and traits.

Electron configuration of copper
By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: February 3, 2024