We're going to say here that the condensed electron configuration is a faster way to write out electron arrangements for elements or ions. We're going to say with condensed electron configurations, we start at the last noble gas before the desired element. And if we take a look here, remember, this is our reimagining of the periodic table. We have our s block where it begins with s1. We have our p block here, our d block here, and our f block down here. With the condensed electron configuration, it's important to know which element we are being asked to find the electron configuration of, and what's the noble gas before it. We're going to say moving forward this will be the primary method to write electron configurations, because it's the faster, easier way to do it. Unless they say full ground state electron configuration, we usually just assume that this is the method they want us to write the electron configuration. So now that we know what the condensed electron configuration is, click on the next video, and let's get to work on an example question.
The Electron Configuration: Condensed - Video Tutorials & Practice Problems
Condensed Electron Configurations are a faster method in determining the configuration of elements and ions.
Condensed Electron Configurations
The Electron Configuration: Condensed
Video transcript
The Electron Configuration: Condensed Example 1
Video transcript
Here it says to provide the condensed electron configuration for the aluminum atom. Atom means that we're dealing with the neutral form of it. If you look on the periodic table, step 1, we have to find the element on the periodic table. So aluminum has an atomic number of 13, which means it has 13 electrons involved. Step 2, we're going to locate the noble gas that comes before the element and place it inside brackets. So the noble gas before aluminum is neon, so put it in brackets. Step 3, continuing from the noble gas in brackets, complete the rest of the electron configuration. So we dealt with neon, so let's continue onward to aluminum. So next would come s32, and then p31. This would be the condensed electron configuration of aluminum. Instead of having to write 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p1, we have this new condensed electron configuration. Neon here is taking the spot of all of this. It's easier and faster for us to write the electron configuration of aluminum in this regard. So just remember, the condensed electron configuration saves us a lot of time in terms of writing out the electron arrangements for elements and ions.
Write the condensed electron configuration and electron orbital diagram for the following element:Zinc