Multiple Choice
Which of the following elements has a full valence shell?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
How many valence electrons does an oxygen atom have?
A
2
B
6
C
8
D
4
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the element in question, which is oxygen. Oxygen has an atomic number of 8, meaning it has 8 electrons in total.
Recall that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell (energy level) of an atom that participate in chemical bonding.
Determine the electron configuration of oxygen to find how the electrons are distributed in its shells. The configuration is 1s\^2 2s\^2 2p\^4.
Recognize that the first shell (1s) holds 2 electrons and is full, so the valence electrons are those in the second shell (2s and 2p orbitals).
Add the electrons in the second shell: 2 electrons in 2s and 4 electrons in 2p, giving a total of 6 valence electrons for oxygen.
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