What is the shorthand orbital notation for Au

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶ 5s² 4d¹⁰ 5p⁶ 6s² 4f¹⁵ 5d⁸

For noble gas notation: [Xe] 6s² 4f¹⁵ 5d⁸

Explanation:

There are four increasing orbital levels we are using, s, p, d, and f. Using the periodic table, we can tell where these orbitals are, and most of the electron configuration (when it gets to d and f it gets a little funky).

The coefficient represents the energy level (H, Li, Na, K, Rb, ...), the variable represents the l value or orbital level, and the super scripted number represents how many atoms are in the orbital.

When doing noble gas notation, you normally would take the last p value's element name and put that into brackets, then continue as if 5p⁶ (or Xe) has already been written.