A Mnemonic Method for Assigning the Electronic Configurations of Atoms

Nerea Iza and Manuel Gil
Departamento de Quimica Fisica I, Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas, Universidad Complutense, Madrid 28040, Spain
J. Chem. Educ., 1995, 72 (11), p 1025
DOI: 10.1021/ed072p1025
Publication Date: November 1995

Abstract

A simple mnemonic method for predicting electronic configurations of the majority of the elements of the Periodic Table is shown. With this device it is necessary only to draw a linear diagram for "building up" the electronic configurations of atoms. The advantages and limitations of the method are considered.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Inorganic Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Mnemonics / Rote Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Atomic Properties / Structure

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This article has been cited by 2 ACS Journal articles (2 most recent appear below).

  • Cover Image

    A Simple Mnemonic for Tautomerization Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry

    Chad E. Stephens
    Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (11), 1186-1187
    • A Simple Mnemonic for Tautomerization Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry

      Chad E. Stephens
      Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (11), 1186-1187

      The familiar word OREO (as in the cookie) is presented as a simple mnemonic for remembering the basic steps of the classical tautomerization mechanisms in organic chemistry. For acid-catalyzed tautomerizations, OREO stands for proton on, resonance, proton ...

  • Cover Image

    The Periodic Table as a Mnemonic Device for Writing Electronic Configurations

    Suzanne T. Mabrouk
    Journal of Chemical Education2003 80 (8), 894
    • The Periodic Table as a Mnemonic Device for Writing Electronic Configurations

      Suzanne T. Mabrouk
      Journal of Chemical Education2003 80 (8), 894

      Lectures on electronic configurations often appear boring and intangible to many students. This topic can become engaging and interesting through the use of an interactive method based on the periodic table. Using a periodic table with shell and subshell ...

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History

  • Received: August 03, 2009

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