Beryllium Electron Configuration
Beryllium (Be) · 4 electrons · Alkaline earth metal
1s2 2s2
Noble gas notation: [He] 2s2
Orbital diagram
↑↓
1s↑↓
2s- Valence electrons
- 2
- Unpaired electrons
- 0
- Block
- s-block
- Magnetism (atom)
- diamagnetic
Electrons per shell
| K (n = 1) | 2 |
|---|---|
| L (n = 2) | 2 |
Beryllium ion configurations
| Ion | Electrons | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Be2+ | 2 | 1s2 |
How to write it
Place 4 electrons into subshells in the Aufbau order (1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p), filling s with 2, p with 6, d with 10 and f with 14. Beryllium sits in period 2, group 2, in the s-block, so its last electron enters an s subshell. Replacing the inner electrons with the previous noble gas gives the shorthand [He] 2s2.
Try beryllium and its ions in the calculator, or see the full beryllium data sheet.
Beryllium electron configuration FAQ
What is the electron configuration of beryllium?
1s² 2s². Shorthand (noble gas) notation: [He] 2s².
What is the noble gas configuration of beryllium?
[He] 2s². The bracket stands for the He core electrons.
How many valence electrons does beryllium have?
2 (outer shell (n = 2)).
How many unpaired electrons does beryllium have?
0 in the ground state, following Hund’s rule. With all electrons paired, the atom is diamagnetic.
What is the electron configuration of Be2+?
1s² (2 electrons).