Writing e- Configurations
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Writing e- Configurations
How do we know when to write electron configurations with the noble gas abbreviation or when to write the whole thing out? Will we ever need to write the whole thing out or can we always use the noble gas abbreviation? I don't want to get points marked off on homework or on a midterm/test?
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
I think either one would be marked as correct on a midterm, it's just the noble gas abbreviation makes it easier especially when you get further down on the periodic table when there are more shells.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
Hi!
I think most of the time, we would use the short hand configuration with the noble gases unless the question states to write out the entire thing.
I think most of the time, we would use the short hand configuration with the noble gases unless the question states to write out the entire thing.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
I think you can always do the shortcut with the noble gases, as some of the full electron configurations can get pretty long. But if the element were Cl-, you couldn't just put [Ar] and would have to start with [Ne]....
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
you could use both but just double check if the question explicitly states which one to write
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
If the question doesn't explicitly state "write the full electron configuration" then you should be fine using short hand notation. If it's not stated then you choose what you feel more comfortable using.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
Unless stated in the problem, it won´t matter which you choose. If you are still unsure, it wouldn´t hurt to write it all out.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
I think you can assume you're able to write the shorthand notation unless told directly by the question to write the entire configuration out.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
I think that you write the noble gas and then the other notation unless otherwise stated by the question.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
Usually the question will specify whether they want the whole thing written out or not.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
Usually the question will be specific regarding what it wants, but my TA said that unless it states to do the FULL electron configuration to just do the notation using the noble gas.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
This is a good question- usually the shorthand convention is to use the last noble gas and then write out the configuration. However, when you first learn them, they usually want to see you write them out all the way. It isn't too difficult and pretty self explanatory.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
It depends on what the question asks, it could either ask for the short-hand configuration, in which you would use the noble gas or the extended electron configuration,in which you would write out the full configuration.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
I think they would tell you to write out the whole e- config or the short-hand one. They would definitely specify which to use.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
I think the question would specify if you had to use a specific notation.
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Re: Writing e- Configurations
Unless specifically stated to write out the full electron configuration, I believe writing the configuration with the noble gas abbreviation would suffice.
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