Element orbital representation

[Emily_Stenzler_2H]

Why are the last two orbitals shown in some cases (in lecture it's written Sc: [Ar]3d^1,4s2) rather than just the last orbital (4S^2)? Isn't it only really important to know how many unpaired electrons are in the outermost shell?

[Samiha Molla 3G]

I think any time you do a noble gas configuration, you have to write out everything after the previous noble gas, including the electrons in subshells that don't have valence electrons.

[Andrew Wang 1C]

In your example, the electron in the 3d orbital can act as a valence electron and determine how the element reacts, which is why it is important to include it in the noble gas configuration.

[Catherine Bubser 2C]

Does is matter the order in which these orbitals are written as long as the n number are in order?

[Taylor K 2D]

Does is matter the order in which these orbitals are written as long as the n number are in order?

It does matter the order in which they are written because different orbitals have different energy levels so electron configuration should be arrange in a specific order.