Noble Gas Configuration

[Rita Chen 1B]

Does anyone know when we need to use noble gas configuration (simplified) rather than the traditional long electron configuration?

[Audrie Chan-3B]

You use noble gas configuration as a short cut. It's called "shorthand" electron configuration. Typically, you can use either way (noble gas or long way), but it is easier to use shorthand because it is less to write.

[Tai Metzger 3K]

You can pretty much use the noble gas configuration whenever you want (except for H and He since they have no preceding noble gas).

[Vincent Leong 2B]

There is no rule of thumb when to use noble gas configuration or not. It's simply preference and generally you write in noble gas configuration to make things simple. However, it will vary between the questions asked: sometimes they will asked for the complete configuration written out while other questions will ask for short hand or noble gas configuration.

[Lizette Noriega 1H]

There's no specific rule as to when you must use the noble gas configuration over the complete electron configuration. My TA said it is much simpler to use the noble gas configuration but to be careful on exams when you are asked to provide the entire electron configuration of an element

[AngieGarcia_4F]

I'm pretty sure you can use either type of configuration you want, unless the question asks for one or the other.

[805097738]

I used the noble gas short cut for atoms with a very high amount of electrons. The question should state if you need to write out the full configuration though.

[Megan Jung 3A]

The noble gas configuration is a short hand version of the actual electron configuration. It is usually used for elements with large atomic numbers on the periodic table to simplify. Either way is correct and can be used to represent the electron configuration of an element.

[chrischyu4a]

My TA mentioned how you can use the noble gas configuration whenever you want. You arent required to use the fully written out notation unless inquired to.

[805097738]

I think it's safe to write in shorthand when the atom has an extremely high amount of electrons unless the question asks for the full electron configuration.

[Adrianh72]

Noble gas notation is mainly used out of pure convenience. You can use it whenever, but it makes more sense to use it for the elements with larger atomic numbers. I, personally, would use it for the elements after Neon.