Multiple Choice
How many valence electrons does potassium (K) have?
2
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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How many valence electrons does sulfur have?
A
2
B
4
C
6
D
8
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the element sulfur on the periodic table. Sulfur has the atomic number 16.
Determine the electron configuration of sulfur. The full electron configuration is $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4$.
Recognize that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell (highest principal quantum number). For sulfur, this is the third shell (n=3).
Count the electrons in the 3s and 3p orbitals: $3s^2$ means 2 electrons, and $3p^4$ means 4 electrons.
Add these electrons together to find the total number of valence electrons: $2 + 4 = 6$ valence electrons.
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