Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

10. Periodic Properties of the Elements

Valence Electrons of Elements

General Chemistry

10. Periodic Properties of the Elements

Valence Electrons of Elements

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct method to determine the number of valence electrons in a neutral atom of an element?

By identifying the group number of the element in the main-group (A-group) columns of the periodic table

By subtracting the atomic number from the mass number

By counting the total number of electrons in the atom

By looking at the period number of the element on the periodic table

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell (energy level) of a neutral atom, which are important for chemical bonding and reactivity.

Recall that the periodic table is arranged in groups (columns) and periods (rows), where main-group elements (also called A-group elements) have group numbers that correspond to their valence electron count.

Recognize that for main-group elements, the group number directly indicates the number of valence electrons. For example, elements in group 1A have 1 valence electron, group 2A have 2 valence electrons, and so on up to group 8A (noble gases) which have 8 valence electrons (except helium).

Note that subtracting the atomic number from the mass number gives the number of neutrons, not valence electrons, so this method is incorrect for finding valence electrons.

Also, counting the total number of electrons or looking at the period number does not directly give the number of valence electrons, since total electrons include inner shells and the period number indicates the principal energy level, not the valence electron count.