Electronic Configuration of Isotopes

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This results in isotopes having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. Let's consider the isotopes of hydrogen, namely hydrogen-1 (protium) and hydrogen-2 (deuterium).

1. Hydrogen-1 (Protium):
Hydrogen-1 is the most common and abundant isotope of hydrogen. It consists of a single proton and a single electron. The electronic configuration of hydrogen-1 can be represented as:

1s^1

Here, the 1s^1 notation indicates that the electron is in the 1s orbital, which is the lowest energy level in the hydrogen atom. The superscript 1 indicates the presence of a single electron.

2. Hydrogen-2 (Deuterium):
Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen that contains one neutron in addition to the proton found in hydrogen-1. The electronic configuration of deuterium is the same as that of hydrogen-1, as the number of protons and electrons remain the same. Therefore, the electronic configuration of deuterium is also represented as:

1s^1

Even though the number of neutrons differs, isotopes have the same chemical properties because they have the same number of electrons. However, they may exhibit slightly different physical properties due to the variation in mass.

Electronic Configuration of Isobars

Isobars are atoms of different elements that have the same mass number but different atomic numbers. Let's consider the isobars calcium-40 and potassium-40.

1. Calcium-40:
Calcium-40 is an isobar of potassium-40. It consists of 20 protons and 20 neutrons. The electronic configuration of calcium-40 can be represented as:

1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^2

Here, the superscripts indicate the number of electrons in each orbital. The electron configuration of calcium-40 follows the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill the lowest energy levels first.

2. Potassium-40:
Potassium-40 is an isobar of calcium-40. It contains 19 protons and 21 neutrons. The electronic configuration of potassium-40 can be represented as:

1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^1 3d^10 4p^6 5s^2

Similar to calcium-40, the electron configuration of potassium-40 also follows the Aufbau principle. However, potassium-40 has an additional electron in the 4s orbital compared to calcium-40.

Even though calcium-40 and potassium-40 have different atomic numbers, they have the same mass number. As a result, their chemical properties may differ due to the variation in the number of protons and electrons, but their physical properties may be similar due to the same mass.