An example of an alternative conception:
Learners commonly think there is a special stability associated with noble gas electronic configurations, due to the presence of full shells or outer shell octets of electrons.
Some therefore think that when an atom is ionised, only the outer shell electrons can be removed as this will lead a full outer shell or octet of electrons.
This particular alternative conception fits in a much more expansive conceptual framework explaining chemistry in terms of the 'desirability' / stability of octets or full outer shells
Read about The octet framework
Read about a diagnostic probe for classroom use to check learners' ideas about ionnisation energy.
