Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the role of valence electrons in atoms?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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Which of the following atoms or ions does NOT have a filled outer subshell?
A
Cl- (chloride ion)
B
Ne (neon atom)
C
Na+ (sodium ion)
D
O (oxygen atom)
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a filled outer subshell means the outermost electron shell (valence shell) is completely occupied according to the subshell capacity rules: s subshell holds 2 electrons, p subshell holds 6 electrons, d subshell holds 10 electrons, and f subshell holds 14 electrons.
Analyze each species by writing their electron configurations or considering their position in the periodic table to determine if their outermost subshell is fully occupied.
For Cl⁻ (chloride ion), start from chlorine's electron configuration and add one electron because of the negative charge; check if the outermost subshell is filled.
For Ne (neon atom), recognize it is a noble gas with a complete octet, so its outermost subshell should be filled.
For Na⁺ (sodium ion), remove one electron from sodium's neutral configuration due to the positive charge; verify if the resulting electron configuration has a filled outer subshell, then compare with O (oxygen atom) to see which does not have a filled outer subshell.
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