What is the noble gas notation for magnesium?
1 Answer
Jul 10, 2014
The noble gas configuration of magnesium is [Ne]3s².
You can learn about noble gas configurations at
http://socratic.org/questions/how-can-i-write-a-noble-gas-shorthand
In your problem, you count backwards from magnesium in the Periodic Table until you come to a noble gas.
You come to neon, element 10.
Magnesium is element 12. It has two more protons (and two more electrons) than neon.
The s orbitals fill first.
Magnesium in Period 3, so the electrons go into the 3s orbital.
The noble gas configuration of magnesium is [Ne]3s².
