Electron Configuration form

[Maldonado3K]

Will we be told when to write a configuration the longer way or shorter way? for example [NE] vs. 2s2 2p5

[Andrew Evans - 1G]

I’m assuming we can use the shorthand unless otherwise stated, since that’s how they have it in the solutions manual.

-Andrew Evans
Section 1G

[Chem_Mod]

Unless otherwise stated, you can use shorthand. For example, for Ca you can write [Ar] 4s² instead of writing 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s²

[Jennifer Ma 1G]

However, there are 2 exceptions that were mentioned in lecture where you can write the shorthand for the electron configurations, but they do not follow the typical rule when it comes to writing their electron configurations.

CHROMIUM (Cr): [Ar] 3d5 4s1, not [Ar] 3d4 4s2

COPPER (Cu): [Ar] 3d10 4s1, not [Ar] 3d9 4s2

[Alma Flores 1D]

It would not be incorrect to use shorthand, but it is better to show the electron configurations because they provide more detail. For example, the shorthand for K+ is [Ar] but it is better to write it out as [Ne] 3s^2 3p^6.