Multiple Choice
How many electrons must barium (Ba) lose to achieve a noble-gas electron configuration?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
Multiple Choice
How many electrons are present in the outermost energy level (valence shell) of a neutral carbon atom?
A
2
B
6
C
8
D
4
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of carbon, which is 6. This means a neutral carbon atom has 6 protons and 6 electrons.
Recall the electron configuration order, which fills energy levels starting from the lowest: 1s, 2s, 2p, etc.
Write the electron configuration for carbon: the first 2 electrons fill the 1s orbital, the next 2 fill the 2s orbital, and the remaining 2 electrons go into the 2p orbitals.
Determine the outermost energy level (valence shell) for carbon, which is the second energy level (n=2), containing the 2s and 2p orbitals.
Count the electrons in the valence shell: 2 electrons in 2s plus 2 electrons in 2p, totaling 4 valence electrons.
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