Chemistry / Unit 5 Chem 0853 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Electron Configuration Notation
Captions available
The idea
Electron configuration notation lists each occupied subshell as its principal quantum number, subshell letter, and a superscript electron count, in filling order.
In practice
Oxygen's electron configuration, 1s²2s²2p⁴, shows two electrons in 1s, two in 2s, and four in 2p, for a total of eight.
Where people slip
The superscripts in electron configuration notation are electron counts, not exponents — never multiplied or raised to a power.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Chemistry