Silicon Electron Configuration
Silicon (Si) · 14 electrons · Metalloid
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2
Noble gas notation: [Ne] 3s2 3p2
Orbital diagram
↑↓
1s↑↓
2s↑↓↑↓↑↓
2p↑↓
3s↑↑
3p- Valence electrons
- 4
- Unpaired electrons
- 2
- Block
- p-block
- Magnetism (atom)
- paramagnetic
Electrons per shell
| K (n = 1) | 2 |
|---|---|
| L (n = 2) | 8 |
| M (n = 3) | 4 |
Silicon ion configurations
| Ion | Electrons | Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Si4+ | 10 | [He] 2s2 2p6 |
How to write it
Place 14 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. Silicon sits in period 3, group 14, in the p-block, so its last electron enters a p subshell. Replacing the inner electrons with the previous noble gas gives the shorthand [Ne] 3s2 3p2.
Try silicon and its ions in the calculator, or see the full silicon data sheet.
Silicon electron configuration FAQ
What is the electron configuration of silicon?
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p². Shorthand (noble gas) notation: [Ne] 3s² 3p².
What is the noble gas configuration of silicon?
[Ne] 3s² 3p². The bracket stands for the Ne core electrons.
How many valence electrons does silicon have?
4 (outer shell (n = 3)).
How many unpaired electrons does silicon have?
2 in the ground state, following Hund’s rule. An atom with unpaired electrons is paramagnetic.
What is the electron configuration of Si4+?
[He] 2s² 2p⁶ (10 electrons).