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Thanks very much for the explanations. I sort of understand the concept now of how the electron configuration of some atoms may differ from the set pattern, but is krypton one of the elements that does differ? If so, does that mean to say that any element higher than krypton beginning with the abbreviation [Kr] would have the same inconsistency in its electron configuration? For example would Rubidium, being [Kr] 5s1 be equivelant to [Ar]3d10 4s2 4p6 5s1? And would the same principle apply to each subsequent element before the next noble gas, thus breaking the electron pattern? Or perhaps I've totally misinterpreted the way the electron pattern is supposed to be! Thanks once again, this is all helpful information.

Hi there. I apologise in advance if this question seems stupid and simple, I am very much a novice at this and I couldn't find any site that had the answer I was looking for, or at least not in a manner I could interpret. In regards to electron configuration, I understand that the order of shells and orbitals is in the form 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d 4p etc.. however there is something I don't understand. Take for example the element Krypton. Going by the order of electron configuration it would seem the element should have the configuration of [Ar]4s2 3d10 4p6, yet every site I check it seems to have the form [Ar]3d10 4s2 4p6. I am curious as to why the 3d10 appears before the 4s2, out of order? Many thanks.