How many valence electrons does potassium (K) have?

• A. 2
• B. 1
• C. 8
• D. 7

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the element in question, which is potassium (K).
2. Recall that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom.
3. Determine the electron configuration of potassium (K), which has an atomic number of 19. The configuration is \$1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 4s^1$.
4. Note that the outermost shell for potassium is the 4th shell, which contains only one electron in the 4s orbital.
5. Conclude that potassium has 1 valence electron because it has one electron in its outermost shell.