Question

Can someone please quickly answer this question?

Does it matter the order for an electronic configuration? So, like for the electronic configuration of Tin, can I either use [Kr]4d^105s^25p^2 or [Kr]5s^24d^1050^2

I’m just confused, when I look it up they show both so I don’t know which one is correct so I can use for my lab report?

Answer 1

The difference between the two is:

`[Kr]4d^1^05s^25p^2` is the Orbital Occupancy

`[Kr]5s^24d^1^05p^2` is the Orbital Filling Order

Both are correct, I don't think your teacher will be so nit-picky to care.