List the order in which orbitals generally fill, from the 1s to the 7p orbital.

The Aufbau Principle is a fundamental guideline in Chemistry. It helps us understand how electrons fill different orbitals within an atom. According to the Aufbau Principle, electrons will occupy the lowest energy orbitals available first before moving on to higher energy orbitals. This is because nature favors the most stable and lowest energy states. It’s like students occupying the front seats in a classroom before the back ones are filled. Lower energy orbitals are ‘filled’ first, from 1s to 7p following a specific sequence. Understanding this principle is essential for determining the electron configuration of an atom.

The order in which orbitals fill is not random. It follows a specific pattern based on energy levels. Orbitals fill in this sequence:
1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p.
Memorizing this order helps you quickly determine the electron configuration for various elements.

Here’s an easy way to remember: * First, fill up the 's' orbital one at a time up to the 4s orbital, then follow through with the 'd' and 'f' orbitals based on their increasing energy levels. * The 3d comes after the 4s, as it has slightly higher energy than 4s, but lower than 4p. * This sequence was found through a combination of experimental data and principles like the Pauli Exclusion Principle and Hund's Rule.

Electrons in atoms reside in particular regions known as energy levels or shells. These energy levels are like stair-steps, and electrons naturally fill the lowest level first before moving to the next step. These levels are designated as 1, 2, 3, etc. Each energy level can contain specific sublevels (s, p, d, f), which also have particular energy rankings.
Userful details:

• The first energy level (n = 1) contains only the 1s orbital.
• The second energy level (n = 2) includes the 2s and 2p orbitals.
• The sequence continues with higher-numbered energy levels.

Once one energy level is full, electrons start filling the next level. Understanding these energy levels helps us comprehend the structure of atoms and predict the chemical behavior of elements.