Chapter 7.1, Problem 1LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To determine the count of valence electrons of an atom.

Concept Introduction: The placement of electrons inside orbitals around a nucleus is known as electronic configuration, also known as electronic structure, as well as electron configuration.

Answer to Problem 1LC

The count of electrons that can be occurred in the outermost orbit of a particular atom, is named valence electrons.

Explanation of Solution

Valence electrons are said to be the total count of electrons in the outermost shell. The majority of chemical reactions involve valence electrons as they possess higher energy than electrons in inner orbits.

For example:

1. Na-11 = ${\text{1s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2p}}^{\text{6}}{\text{3s}}^{\text{1}}$, valence electrons = 1
2. Mg-12 = ${\text{1s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2p}}^{\text{6}}{\text{3s}}^2$, valence electrons = 2
3. Ca − 20 = ${\text{1s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{2p}}^{\text{6}}{\text{3s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{3p}}^{\text{6}}{\text{4s}}^{\text{2}}$ , valence electrons = 2
4. I − 53 = ${\text{[Ar]4d}}^{\text{10}}{\text{5s}}^{\text{2}}{\text{5p}}^{\text{5}}$ , valence electrons = 7