Writing Condensed/Abbreviated Electron Configurations

To write condensed electron configurations (also called abbreviated electron configurations) for elements we first write the full electron configuration for the element. Once we have the full configuration we put brackets around the config for the Noble Gas core. We can then replace this with the element symbol for the Noble Gas, leaving the rest of the configuration visible (these are the valence electrons).

For example, for Calcium, atomic number 20 on the Periodic Table:

Calcium 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 (full)
Calcium [1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6] 4s2 (Noble Gas in brackets)
Calcium [Ar] 4s2 (Condensed config)

For help writing electron configurations for elements:

The condensed electron configuration notation provides an easy way for scientists to write and communicate how electrons are arranged around the nucleus of an atom. It places an emphasis on the valence electrons (the electrons written after the Noble Gas core). This makes it easier to understand and predict how atoms will interact to form chemical bonds.

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[aster-dnki]

Hello! I'm a bit confused, why it did not follow the Aufbau Principle in writing the electron configuration?

[jasonstell]

great videos. just one correction to note, maybe others caught it. the full electron configuration for Iodine at 4:02 is not correct. 4s2 should come before 3d10. however this does not affect the noble gas configuration but might confuse someone still learning about the order of electron levels

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[kirk]

this is pretty easy to understand. thank you. btw, I have a question, isn't it tiring to write the unabbreviated elec. config. if the proton is big?

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