Gallium Electron Configuration
Gallium (Ga) · 31 electrons · Post-transition metal
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p1
Noble gas notation: [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p1
Orbital diagram
↑↓
1s↑↓
2s↑↓↑↓↑↓
2p↑↓
3s↑↓↑↓↑↓
3p↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓↑↓
3d↑↓
4s↑
4p- Valence electrons
- 3
- Unpaired electrons
- 1
- Block
- p-block
- Magnetism (atom)
- paramagnetic
Electrons per shell
| K (n = 1) | 2 |
|---|---|
| L (n = 2) | 8 |
| M (n = 3) | 18 |
| N (n = 4) | 3 |
Gallium ion configurations
| Ion | Electrons | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Ga3+ | 28 | [Ar] 3d10 |
How to write it
Place 31 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. Gallium sits in period 4, group 13, in the p-block, so its last electron enters a p subshell. Replacing the inner electrons with the previous noble gas gives the shorthand [Ar] 3d10 4s2 4p1.
Try gallium and its ions in the calculator, or see the full gallium data sheet.
Gallium electron configuration FAQ
What is the electron configuration of gallium?
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹. Shorthand (noble gas) notation: [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹.
What is the noble gas configuration of gallium?
[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹. The bracket stands for the Ar core electrons.
How many valence electrons does gallium have?
3 (outer shell (n = 4)).
How many unpaired electrons does gallium have?
1 in the ground state, following Hund’s rule. An atom with unpaired electrons is paramagnetic.
What is the electron configuration of Ga3+?
[Ar] 3d¹⁰ (28 electrons).