NOBLE GAS NOTATION

REMEMBER: Think of the process like a race track.

WHY ARE THERE CHECKPOINTS IN VIDEO GAMES?

EACH NOBLE GAS IS A CHECKPOINT Every time the Electron Notation passes through a Noble gas it will be considered a checkpoint.

THE PROCESS Allows for writing the short hand of the addresses for the electron configuration. When writing the notation: Start with the closest Noble Gas with a LOWER atomic #. Put its symbol in brackets “[__]” Begin the notation starting with the next period. Stop at the element being considered.

LET’S CONSIDER SULFUR, S The nearest noble gas that can be used as a checkpoint is Neon, since it has a lower atomic number. Begin with its abbreviation in brackets: [Ne] Then continue with the configuration on the next period: 3s 2 3p 4 Complete answer: [Ne] 3s 2 3p 4

WHAT NOT TO DO Do not use a noble gas with a greater atomic number. Analogy: can’t start from where you haven’t been in a game yet (at least without cheating). Don’t use a different type of element for a checkpoint! Only use Noble Gases! They are the most stable elements on the periodic table. The all have full valence shells. It allows us to rely on them not to change and always be consistent.