Niobium Electron Configuration:Everything You Need to Know

In a periodic table, there are around 118 recognized elements. In this article, we are discussing about one such element.

Nb electronic configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d4 5s1.Niobium(Nb) is a transition metal present in group five of the table, with a soft and ductile nature and mass number-92. It serves as an element in superconducting alloys, used in different industries.Oxidation state of +5 is most known in Niobium.

Let us look at the interesting electron density and electron distribution in Nb.

How to write Niobium Electron Configuration?

The number of electrons is 41, same as the atomic number. The electronic structure is defined by certain rules. These are as follows:

Step 1: List the energy order of the orbitals

Electrons are to be filled in the atomic orbitals with increasing order of energies observing the (n+l) rule of Aufbau principle where n= principal quantum number and l= azimuthal quantum number. For Niobium, the energy order is: 1s < 2s < 2p < 3s < 3p < 4s < 3d < 4p < 5s < 4d.

Step 2: Electron filling in each orbital following the rule

However, in 5s-4d case, the (n+l) rule breaks down in the wake of higher exchange energy and half-filled stability concept. The cost of pairing energy in 5s2 configuration is done away with to reach greater stability. Energy stands after nearly filled: 4d<5s.

Step 3: Arrangement of electrons in all the sets of orbitals

Each orbital can have only two electrons with varied spins, as per Pauli’s exclusion principle. If s orbital holds two electrons, p orbitals take in six net electrons while d orbitals hold net ten electrons. While writing, the electrons are put in superscript position to the orbital notation.

Step 4: Anomaly of Energy Order

Each orbital of the sub-level must be filled before pairing electrons, as per Hund’s rule but Nb show anomalies. After two electrons filled in 4d orbitals, the last electron achieves higher exchange energy in 4d4 5s1 configuration, not in 4d3 5s2 configuration.

Step 5: Final Electron Filling

The resultant electronic configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d4 5s1

Niobium Electron Configuration Diagram

Nb has the following orbital features:

  • Total orbitals of all sub-levels- 24
  • Total sets of orbitals- 10
Sub-shellNumber of Orbitals
s1
p3
d5
f7
Orbital Information
KCla ch 2 1
Energy Order of Orbitals

Niobium Electron Configuration Notation

Nb41 Electronic Configuration- [Kr36] 4d4 5s1

Nb is a transition element with the smaller electron configuration notation being described with respect to the previous Nobel gas element of the table.

Niobium Unabbreviated Electron Configuration

The unabbreviated form of Niobium’s electronic configuration is:

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d4 5s1

Ground State Niobium Electron Configuration

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2px2 2py2 2pz2 3s2 3px2 3py2 3pz2 4s2 3dxy2 3dyz2 3dxz2 3d2x2-y2 3dz22 4px2 4py2 4pz2 4dxy1 4dyz1 4dxz1 4d1x2-y2 4dz20 5s1

The undisturbed electrons reside in their respective orbitals.

Excited State of Niobium Electron Configuration

On exciting the atom, electronic configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4dxy1 dyz1 4dxz1 4d0x2-y2 4dz20 5s2

The electron climbs from a lower energy orbital to a higher energy orbital. Other configurations are as follows:

  • 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4dxy1 dyz1 4dxz0 4d1x2-y2 4dz20 5s2
  • 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4dxy1 dyz0 4dxz1 4d1x2-y2 4dz20 5s2
  • 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4dxy0 dyz1 4dxz1 4d1x2-y2 4dz20 5s2

Ground State of Niobium Orbital Diagram

The electrons in the ground state of Nb are arranged observing the classical rules of filling as per the increasing order of energies.

Energy Nb1.jpg
Orbital Picture of Nb

Conclusion

Niobium is a bluish metallic-textured element that bears similar physical properties with Tantalum. Due to 5s1 configuration, it is paramagnetic and prone to reactions.The electronic structure depicts anomalous electron configuration.

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