For example, the electronic configuration for the element boron can be writen as:
1s2 2s2 2p1
However, it is can be written more accurately by taking the different p-orbitals into account:
The electronic configuration with the different p-orbitals starting from boron ascending in atomic number:
B - 1s2 2s2 2px1
C - 1s2 2s2 2px1 2py1
N - 1s2 2s2 2px1 2py1 2pz2
O - 1s2 2s2 2px2 2py1 2pz2
F - 1s2 2s2 2px2 2py1 2pz2
Each type of 'p-orbital' can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. But the way they are assigned to which orbital is not always systematic e.g. the electrons do no wait till, pX orbital is full to be able to fill the next one (I know this has something to do with energy levels and trends in periodic table).
Can someone tell me how this works and how I can use it to be able to write electronic configurations for p-orbitals. It is much easier just using the summation of px + py + pz = pX; but my teacher sometimes writes it out fully...
