Carbon Electron Configuration
Explore the full electron configuration of carbon (Z=6): notation, orbital box diagram, and quantum numbers for every electron.
6
Element 6 — Carbon
1s² 2s² 2p²
Noble-gas notation: [He] 2s² 2p² • 4 valence electrons
Electron Configuration Notations
Full spdf Notation
1s² 2s² 2p²
Noble-Gas Shorthand
[He] 2s² 2p²
Subshell Breakdown
1s²
2s²
2p²
Valence Shell
2s² 2p² (4 electrons, n=2)
Core Electrons
1s² (2 electrons, [He] core)
Unpaired Electrons
2 (in 2px and 2py)
Hund's Rule: The two 2p electrons occupy separate orbitals (2px and 2py) with parallel spins rather than pairing in one orbital. This minimizes electron-electron repulsion and gives carbon its biradical character in excited states.
Summary
Explore the full electron configuration of carbon (Z=6): notation, orbital box diagram, and quantum numbers for every electron.
How it works
- Carbon has 6 protons, so it also has 6 electrons in the neutral atom.
- Electrons fill orbitals from lowest to highest energy following the Aufbau principle.
- The first two electrons fill the 1s orbital, the next two fill 2s, and the last two enter separate 2p orbitals (Hund's rule).
- Use the tabs to switch between full notation, noble-gas shorthand, the orbital box diagram, and the quantum number table.
- Hover over each orbital box to see the spin of the electron inside.
Use cases
- Review carbon's electron configuration for a chemistry exam.
- Understand how Hund's rule applies to the 2p subshell.
- Look up the four quantum numbers (n, l, mₗ, mₛ) for each carbon electron.
- Compare the full spdf notation to the noble-gas shorthand.
- Teach or visualize orbital filling order with an interactive box diagram.
- Verify why carbon is tetravalent and forms four covalent bonds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: 2026-06-18 ·
Reviewed by Nham Vu