A shortened method of representing the electron configuration of an atom, it leverages the stable electron configuration of the preceding noble gas to simplify the notation. Instead of writing out the entire electron configuration, one represents the core electrons with the symbol of the noble gas element that precedes the element in question, enclosed in square brackets. For example, the electron configuration of sodium (Na) is 1s2s2p3s. Rather than writing that out in full, it can be represented as [Ne]3s, where [Ne] represents the 1s2s2p electron configuration of neon.
This simplification offers several benefits, primarily in terms of space and readability. For elements with many electrons, the full electron configuration can become quite long and cumbersome. This abbreviated method provides a concise and easily interpretable way to represent the valence electrons, which are the most important for chemical bonding. Its development streamlined electron configuration notation, allowing scientists to focus on the key electrons involved in chemical reactions and properties.
