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Multiple Choice
A neutral atom of chlorine has an atomic number of 17. It has __________ electrons in its third shell.
A
2
B
17
C
7
D
8
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the atomic number of an element represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, and for a neutral atom, it also equals the number of electrons.
Chlorine has an atomic number of 17, which means a neutral chlorine atom has 17 electrons.
Electrons are arranged in shells around the nucleus, and each shell can hold a specific maximum number of electrons. The first shell can hold up to 2 electrons, and the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons.
Calculate the number of electrons in the first two shells: the first shell holds 2 electrons, and the second shell holds 8 electrons, totaling 10 electrons.
Subtract the number of electrons in the first two shells from the total number of electrons to find the number of electrons in the third shell: 17 (total electrons) - 10 (electrons in first two shells) = 7 electrons in the third shell.