CHEM 1411
In-Class activity 4
Willoughby
Fall 2016
Electron configuration BINGO!
Group size: Individual
Introduction
The arrangement of electrons can provide information about the possible reactions that atom can participate in. Electron
configurations show the distribution and location of electrons based on the level and sublevel they are located. By
convention, scientists write the electron configuration for an atom by listing the level (n = 1 to 7) and sublevel (s, p, d, or
f) and the number of electrons in that sublevel. For example, the full electron configuration for a neutral sulfur atoms is:
1s22s22p63s23p4
A condensed electron configurations can be written by first listing the noble gas of the previous period, and then all levels
and sublevels that contain electrons which differ from the noble gas. For example, the condensed electron configuration
for a neutral sulfur atom is:
[Ne]3s23p4
In this activity, students will be shown a full or condensed electron configuration, and they will be required to identify the
neutral atom that it represents. A classic style Bingo game will be played, and the first student to get “BINGO” in each
round is eligible to receive bonus points for exam 2.
Learning goals
 Familiarization with full and condensed electron configurations
Materials:
Bingo cards
Writing implement (a highlighter is ideal)
Periodic table (provided)
Instructions:
1. Each student will receive a sheet containing 4 bingo boxes labeled Rounds 1 – 4. Each of the cells contains the
atomic symbol for an element on the periodic table. Students may only use the bingo sheet corresponding to the
round being played.
2. An electron configuration (full or condensed) for a neutral atom will be shown. Find the atomic symbol that
corresponds to the electron configuration, determine if it is present on your current bingo card, and mark it off (be
sure the element is still visible). If the element is no longer visible, it will not count towards a bingo.
3. You have BINGO when a straight line through 5 cells (full row, full column, or diagonal) is formed on the card.
4. The first person to yell “BINGO” will bring their card to the SI leader. If bingo is confirmed, the student will
receive 2 bonus points on exam 2.
5. Up to four rounds will be played, time permitting. Bonus points can only be won for one round by a single
student. If the same player wins multiple rounds, play will continue until a different student gets BINGO.