Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes valence electrons and explains their importance in chemistry?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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Which subshell holds the valence electrons of barium (Ba)?
A
4f
B
6s
C
5d
D
5p
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of barium (Ba), which is 56. This tells us the total number of electrons in a neutral barium atom.
Recall the order of electron filling in atomic orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, which fills orbitals in increasing energy order: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, and so on.
Determine the electron configuration of barium by filling orbitals up to 56 electrons, paying special attention to the outermost (valence) electrons.
Recognize that the valence electrons are those in the highest principal energy level (the outermost shell), which for barium is the 6th shell.
Conclude that the valence electrons of barium occupy the 6s subshell, since after filling the 5p subshell, the next electrons enter the 6s orbital.
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