The shorthand configuration for nitrogen is [He] 2s² 2p³.

Here's how it works:

* [He] represents the electron configuration of helium, which is 1s². This is the core configuration of nitrogen.

* 2s² 2p³ represents the remaining electrons in nitrogen's outer shell.

Here's the breakdown:

* Nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, meaning it has 7 electrons.

* Helium has an atomic number of 2, meaning it has 2 electrons.

* By writing [He], we are indicating that the first two electrons in nitrogen are in the same configuration as helium's electrons.

* The remaining 5 electrons are then distributed in the 2s and 2p orbitals, giving us 2s² 2p³.

This shorthand configuration is a concise way to represent the electronic structure of nitrogen, highlighting the relationship between its configuration and the noble gas helium.