ALEKS Chemistry Placement Exam Practice – Complete Preparation 2025

In kernel notation, which is a shorthand way of writing electron configurations, the representation of the noble gas serves as a stable core indicating the electron configuration up to that point. Following the noble gas, you include the remaining electrons that define the element in question. This is where the energy level and orbital designation become essential.

The energy level and specific types of orbitals (s, p, d, f) are used to describe the arrangement of the remaining electrons. For instance, if you were writing the electron configuration for an element like arsenic, you would start with the noble gas core of argon and then continue with the specific energy levels and orbitals that include the additional electrons specific to arsenic. This information is crucial because it provides a clear and concise description of how electrons are arranged around the nucleus, influencing the element's chemical behavior.

By focusing on the energy levels and orbitals, you gain insights into the chemical properties and reactivity of the element based on its position in the periodic table. Therefore, including the energy level and orbital of the element immediately after the noble gas is a fundamental aspect of using kernel notation effectively.