Valence Electron Chemistry Example 3

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Example 3

easy
Determine the number of valence electrons for: (a) carbon, (b) sulfur, (c) argon.

Solution

  1. 1
    Carbon (Group 14): 4 valence electrons. Sulfur (Group 16): 6 valence electrons.
  2. 2
    Argon (Group 18): 8 valence electrons (full octet, noble gas).

Answer

C: 4, S: 6, Ar: 8\text{C: 4, S: 6, Ar: 8}
For main-group elements, the group number (in the modern numbering) minus 10 (for groups 13-18) gives the valence electron count.

About Valence Electron

An electron residing in the outermost (highest-energy) occupied shell of an atom, available for participation in chemical bonding through sharing, gaining, or losing.

Learn more about Valence Electron →

More Valence Electron Examples

Example 1 easy

How many valence electrons does nitrogen ([formula]) have?

Example 2 medium

Explain why elements in Group 17 (halogens) are highly reactive, using the concept of valence electr

Example 4 medium

Sodium has electron arrangement 2,8,1. How many valence electrons does it have, and is it more likel

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