What is the diagonal rule?

Answer 1

The diagonal rule is a method for determining the order in which electrons fill sublevels of energy levels of atoms when doing electron configurations.

Yes i am a 15 year old sophomore girl in chemistry class from a tiny school in Texas, but im sure my awnser is correct. (point is, if i get it you should)

Well, the diagonal rule goes like this

S= 2

P=6

D=10 F= 14

the numbers that are with the letters represent what energy levels (also known as the rings electrons are on).

those are the energy levels

that's not right!

it's like this

1s

2s 2p

3s 3p 3d

4s 4p 4d 4f

5s 5p 5d 5f

6s 6p 6d

7s 7p

8s

THE DIAGONAL RULE MUST GO IN THIS ORDER:

1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p, and 8 s. These orbitals will account for all the elements now known.

This diagonal rule can help account for the octet rule, too.

EXAMPLE:

element: neon

electrons: 10

electron configuration for neon:

1s^2 , 2s^2 , 2p^6

so on the first energy level you will have 2 electrons and on the second you will have 8.. you total adds up to 10

hope that helped :)

TIP!!!!

if you write it in the sideways Christmas tree pattern as I did, and if you draw it in rows like I did with al of the variables (like the "s") straight down, then start with 1s and draw diagonal lines pointing downwards from right to left. Start at the top and work your way down the arrows as you fill up energy levels. When you get to the bottom of one, go to the top of the next line. I hope this tip helped because it helped me!