Multiple Choice
Sulfur has an atomic number of 16. How many valence electrons does sulfur have in its outermost shell?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
How many valence electrons does a sulfur (S) atom have?
A
4
B
2
C
8
D
6
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the element sulfur (S) on the periodic table. Sulfur is in period 3 and group 16 (or VIA).
Recall that the group number for main group elements indicates the number of valence electrons. For group 16 elements, the number of valence electrons is 6.
Understand that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that participate in chemical bonding.
Sulfur's electron configuration ends in 3s² 3p⁴, which means it has 2 electrons in the 3s subshell and 4 electrons in the 3p subshell, totaling 6 valence electrons.
Therefore, sulfur has 6 valence electrons.
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