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Multiple Choice
How many valence electrons does gallium (Ga) have?
A
3
B
5
C
4
D
2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the group number of gallium (Ga) in the periodic table. Gallium is located in group 13 (or IIIA) of the periodic table.
Recall that the group number for main group elements corresponds to the number of valence electrons. For group 13 elements, the number of valence electrons is equal to 3.
Understand that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that participate in chemical bonding.
Confirm that gallium's electron configuration ends with 4s2 4p1, which sums to 3 electrons in the outermost shell.
Conclude that gallium has 3 valence electrons based on its group and electron configuration.