Multiple Choice
How many valence electrons does a single chlorine (Cl) atom possess?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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Which of the following is the correct method to determine the number of valence electrons in a main-group element?
A
Count the total number of electrons in the atom.
B
Look at the group number of the element in the periodic table (for groups 1, 2, and 13–18).
C
Use the period number to determine the number of valence electrons.
D
Subtract the atomic number from the mass number.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that participate in chemical bonding.
Recall that for main-group elements (those in groups 1, 2, and 13–18), the group number on the periodic table directly indicates the number of valence electrons.
For example, elements in group 1 have 1 valence electron, group 2 have 2 valence electrons, and groups 13 through 18 have 3 to 8 valence electrons respectively.
Note that counting the total number of electrons or using the period number does not reliably give the number of valence electrons because inner electrons do not participate in bonding.
Also, subtracting the atomic number from the mass number gives the number of neutrons, which is unrelated to valence electrons.
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