Electronic structure

Electronic structure refers to how electrons are arranged within an atom or molecule. Electrons occupy specific energy levels or orbitals, which determine an atom’s properties and how it interacts with others. The arrangement influences an element’s reactivity, bonding behavior, and physical characteristics. Think of electrons as swirling around the nucleus like a cloud, with certain regions being more likely to be occupied. Understanding this structure helps explain why atoms behave the way they do and forms the basis for fields like chemistry and physics.