Helium Electron Configuration
Helium (He) · 2 electrons · Noble gas
1s2
Noble gas notation: 1s2
Orbital diagram
↑↓
1s- Valence electrons
- 2
- Unpaired electrons
- 0
- Block
- s-block
- Magnetism (atom)
- diamagnetic
Electrons per shell
| K (n = 1) | 2 |
|---|
How to write it
Place 2 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. Helium sits in period 1, group 18, in the s-block, so its last electron enters an s subshell.
Try helium and its ions in the calculator, or see the full helium data sheet.
Helium electron configuration FAQ
What is the electron configuration of helium?
1s². Shorthand (noble gas) notation: 1s².
What is the noble gas configuration of helium?
1s².
How many valence electrons does helium have?
2 (full outer shell).
How many unpaired electrons does helium have?
0 in the ground state, following Hund’s rule. With all electrons paired, the atom is diamagnetic.