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: 3s2 3p4

• Complete answer: [Ne] 3s2 3p4

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.