Description : Why does the last electron of potassium go to 4s instead of 3d ?
Last Answer : We know that the lesser the value of ( n + l) between two orbitals , the less energy it has. This means that it is a low energy orbital and the electrons will enter that orbital relatively earlier. ... the last ( 19th ) electron of potassium ( K) enters the 4s orbital instead of the 3d orbital .