Multiple Choice
How many valence electrons does a neon (Ne) atom have?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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How many valence electrons are present in a neutral atom of sulfur (S)?
A
6
B
8
C
4
D
2
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the element sulfur (S) on the periodic table. Sulfur has an atomic number of 16, which means it has 16 electrons in a neutral atom.
Determine the electron configuration of sulfur to understand how its electrons are distributed among the energy levels. The electron configuration can be written as $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4$.
Recognize that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell (highest principal quantum number). For sulfur, the outermost shell is the third shell, which includes the $3s$ and $3p$ orbitals.
Count the electrons in the outermost shell: sulfur has $2$ electrons in the $3s$ orbital and $4$ electrons in the $3p$ orbitals, totaling $2 + 4 = 6$ valence electrons.
Conclude that a neutral sulfur atom has 6 valence electrons, which are important for determining its chemical bonding behavior.
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