The smallest part of an element that can exist. Atoms consist of a small dense nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded by moving electrons. The number of electrons equals the number of protons so the overall charge is zero. The electrons may be thought of as moving in circular or elliptical orbits (see Bohr theory) or, more accurately, in regions of space around the nucleus (see orbital).
The electronic structure of an atom refers to the way in which the electrons are arranged about the nucleus, and in particular the energy levels that they occupy. Each electron can be characterized by a set of four quantum numbers, as follows: (1) The principal quantum number n gives the main energy level and has values 1, 2, 3, etc. (the higher the number, the further the electron from the nucleus). Traditionally, these levels, or the orbits corresponding to them, are referred to as shells and given letters K, L, M, etc. The K-shell is the one nearest the nucleus. (2) The orbital quantum number l, which governs the angular momentum of the electron. The possible values of l are (n − 1), (n − 2),…, 1, 0. Thus, in the first shell (n=1) the electrons can only have angular momentum zero (l=0). In the second shell (n=2), the values of l can be 1 or 0, giving rise to two subshells of slightly different energy. In the third shell (n=3) there are three subshells, with l=2, 1, or 0. The subshells are denoted by letters s (l=0), p (l=1), d (l=2), f (l=3). The orbital quantum number is sometimes called the azimuthal quantum number. (3) The magnetic quantum number m, which governs the energies of electrons in an external magnetic field. This can take values of +l,+(l − 1), …, 1, 0, −1, …, −(l − 1), −l. In an s-subshell (i.e. l=0) the value of m=0. In a p-subshell (l=1), m can have values +1, 0, and −1; i.e. there are three p-orbitals in the p-subshell, usually designated px, py, and pz. Under normal circumstances, these all have the same energy level. (4) The spin quantum number ms, which gives the spin of the individual electrons and can have the values +½ or −½.
According to the Pauli exclusion principle, no two electrons in the atom can have the same set of quantum numbers. The numbers define the quantum state of the electron, and explain how the electronic structures of atoms occur. See Atomic Theory (Chronology).