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Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry · Spec 1.18-1.19

The Periodic Table & Electronic Configuration

How the periodic table is arranged and how to write electronic configurations.

Chemistry revision video

The Periodic Table & Electronic Configuration

Spec 1.18-1.19

What you need to know

  • Describe how the periodic table is arranged
  • Work out the electronic configuration of an atom
  • Link that configuration to an element's group and period

Active recall

Quick check

Answer each question before opening the answer.

What do the group number and period number tell you about an atom?

The group number gives the number of electrons in the outer shell; the period number gives the number of occupied electron shells.

Give the electronic configuration of a sodium atom (11 electrons).

2, 8, 1.

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