3D Bohr-model representation of the Potassium atom (symbol K, atomic number Z=19). Electron shell configuration: 2, 8, 8, 1 electrons.
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Bohr model · educational
Bohr model of potassium
Potassium (K) has 19 electrons, spread over 4 shells. The diagram places them on circles around the nucleus, from the K shell — the closest — outward.
| Shell | Electrons |
|---|---|
| K (n = 1) | 2 |
| L (n = 2) | 8 |
| M (n = 3) | 8 |
| N (n = 4) | 1 |
The Bohr model is a teaching picture: electrons do not travel in circular orbits, but the number of electrons per shell is exact.
Related lesson
First look at the periodic classification
Reading the table, spotting families (alkali metals, halogens, noble gases). Why some elements share properties.
9 minElectron configuration
Full1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹
Short[Ar] 4s¹
Valence electrons1
KLMNOPQ shells
K2
L8
M8
N1
Electronegativity
Pauling0.82
Allen0.734
Mulliken (eV)—
Atomic radii
Empirical220 pm
Calculated243 pm
Covalent203 pm
Van der Waals275 pm
Ionic radii (Shannon-Prewitt)
+1138 pm
Successive ionisation energies
I₁418.8 kJ/mol
I₂3052 kJ/mol
I₃4420 kJ/mol
I₄5877 kJ/mol
I₅7975 kJ/mol
Electron affinity48.4 kJ/mol
Oxidation states
-1+1
Bold states = most common.
Warm-up
Potassium — do you remember?
3 questions on this page. The right answer shows every time, and nothing is asked of you to play.
No account · one minute