Textbook Question
Determine the number of valence electrons in an atom of each element. a. Ba c. Ni d. S
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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How many valence electrons does a fluorine atom have?
A
8
B
7
C
6
D
5
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of fluorine, which is 9. This tells us the number of protons and, in a neutral atom, the number of electrons.
Understand that electrons are arranged in shells around the nucleus. The first shell can hold up to 2 electrons, and the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons.
Determine the electron configuration of fluorine. The first shell will have 2 electrons, and the remaining 7 electrons will be in the second shell.
Recognize that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell. For fluorine, the outermost shell is the second shell.
Count the number of electrons in the outermost shell of fluorine, which is 7. Therefore, fluorine has 7 valence electrons.
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