The Electronic Structure of Alkali Atoms

The normal lithium atom has two electrons in the K shell, with n = 1, and one electron in the 2s orbital of the L shell. The electronic configurations of all of the alkali atoms are given in Table 2-1 in each case there is a single electron in the outermost shell. 

The symbols 2s and so forth give the quantum number for one electron the other two electrons are in the la orbital. The levels at the right are those for hydrogen. 

The energy values 4/, 5/, and 6f lie very dose to those for hydrogen, which are represented at the right side of the diagram. Those for 3d, 4d, lie somewhat below the hydrogen values, those for the 

During recent years many detailed quantum-mechanical calculations have been made of the energy levels of the lithium atom and other 

—A nonpenetrating orbit in an alkalilike atom. The inner electrons are represented by the shaded region about the nucleus. 

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