Barium Electron Configuratio(Explained for Beginners)

Barium, a chemical element, occurs mainly as Barytes and Witherite. Barium originates from the Greek word ‘Barys’, meaning heavy. It is a s-block element and an alkaline earth metal.

Barium electron configuration is [Xe]6s² . It is a soft, lustrous metal. It never exists in the elemental state due to its high reactivity. It reacts vigorously with water, forms oxides reacting with air. Its melting point is approximately 727°C. Ba forms a body-centered cube. It generally forms divalent cation.

In this article, we will discuss the electronic arrangement of Barium, including ground state configuration, orbital diagram, etc. Let’s explore!

How to write Barium electron configuration

Ba is in the sixth period, and group IIA is in the periodic table with atomic number 56. According to the atom neutrality rule, in neutral Ba total of 56 electrons are present. There are some steps to follow to write the electron configuration of Ba-

Step 1- Write electronic shells

First, we assign the electronic shells based on the principal quantum number (n). The maximum capacity of electrons in each shell follows the 2n² rule. (n=1, 2, 3, …).

Step 2- Write electronic subshells

Then we assign the subshells under shells. Electrons are distributed in a subshell based on the azimuthal quantum number (l). l=0, l=1, l=2 are assigned as ‘s’ subshell, ‘p’ subshell, and ‘d’ subshell, respectively. The number of subshells depends on the ‘n.’ For n=3, l values are 0, 1, 2, 3. The maximum electron capacity of an electron subshell is 2(2l+1).

Step 3- Fill electrons in orbitals

The lowest energy orbital will be filled first, and subsequently, the others following the Aufbau principle . Hund’s rule and Pauli’s exclusion principle are imposed to take care of the maximum spin multiplicity and electron spin direction subsequently.

Barium electron configuration diagram

The electron configuration diagram of Ba consists of electrons arranged in ascending order of the energy levels. It has a total of 56 electrons. Thus,

1s orbital is filled out with a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins as it is the lowest energy orbital.
After 1s orbital, 2s orbital is filled out with a maximum of two electrons with mutually opposite spins.
After 2s orbital, 2p orbital is filled out with a maximum of 6 electrons with a total spin multiplicity equal to 1.
After 2p orbital, 3s orbital is filled out with a maximum of 2 electrons with mutually opposite spins.
After 3s orbital, 3p orbital is filled out with a maximum of 6 electrons with total spin multiplicity equal to 1.
After 3p orbital, 4s orbital is filled out with a maximum of 2 electrons with mutually opposite spins.
After 4s orbital, 3d orbital is filled out with a maximum of 10 electrons with total spin multiplicity equal to 1.
After 3d orbital, 4p orbital is filled out with a maximum of 6 electrons with a total spin multiplicity equal to 1.
After 4p orbital, 5s orbital is filled out with a maximum of 2 electrons with mutually opposite spins.
After the 5s orbital, the 4d orbital is filled out with a maximum of 10 electrons with a total spin multiplicity equal to 1.
After 4d orbital, 5p orbital is filled out with a maximum of 6 electrons with a total spin multiplicity equal to 1.
After 5p orbital, 6s orbital is filled out with a maximum of 2 electrons with mutually opposite spins.

Ba excited state — **Aufbau Principle for Electron Configuration**

Barium electron configuration notation

The electronic configuration notation of Ba is [Xe]6s².

The electron configuration of Ba includes a total of 56 electrons. Fifty-four electrons come from Xenon noble gas atom, and two from the 6s orbital. It is also known as abbreviated electron configuration.

Barium unabbreviated electron configuration

The unabbreviated electron configuration of Ba is,

1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶5s²4d¹⁰5p⁶6s².

The unabbreviated electron configuration of Ba are filled as-

Two electrons in 1s orbital.
Two electrons in 2s orbital.
Six electrons in 2p orbital
Two electrons in 3s orbital
Six electrons in 3p orbital
Two electrons in 4s orbital
Ten electrons in 3d orbital
Six electrons in 4p orbital
Two electrons in 5s orbital
Ten electrons in 4d orbitals
Six electrons in 5p orbital
Two electrons in 6s orbital

Ground state Barium electron configuration

The ground state electron configuration of Ba is

1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶5s²4d¹⁰5p⁶6s²

In terms of electron shell, electron configuration of Ba in ground state is:

K- level = 2, L-level = 8, M-level = 18, N-level = 18, O-level = 8, P-level = 2

Excited state Barium electron configuration

The excited electron of Ba occupies the 5d orbital, and the electronic configuration becomes 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶5s²4d¹⁰5p⁶6s¹5d¹.

Ba excited state 1 — **Excited State Electron Configuration of Ba**

Ground state Barium orbital diagram

Ground state electronic shell structure of Ba is 2.8.18.18.8.2. The ground state term symbol for Ba is ¹S₀. The shell diagram is shown below,

Screenshot 2022 11 22 171426 — **Ground State Orbital Diagram of Ba**

Barium chloride electron configuration

The electronic configuration of Ba²⁺ is: 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²3d¹⁰4p⁶5s²4d¹⁰5p⁶
The electronic configuration of Cl^– is: 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶

BaCl2 structure — **Barium chloride Electronic Structure**

Conclusion

We can write the electron configuration of Ba in terms of the electron shell model, noble gas notation, unabbreviated form, etc. Ba readily loses two electrons to attain noble gas configuration. It is used in paint and glassmaking.

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Ishita Ghosh

Hey readers, I am Ishita Ghosh. I have done my Master’s in Chemistry. My area of specialization is Inorganic Chemistry. The true way to comprehend chemistry is to understand it from its grassroots level. My effort is to share every bit of knowledge in chemistry I have so that it helps you for a better grasp on this subject.