Multiple Choice
Which of the following elements has more than 2 electrons and a completely filled outermost electron 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 lithium (Li) have available for bonding?
A
3
B
4
C
1
D
2
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of lithium (Li), which is 3. This means lithium has 3 electrons in total.
Determine the electron configuration of lithium. The electrons fill orbitals in order: 1s, 2s, 2p, etc. For lithium, the configuration is \$1s^2 2s^1$.
Recognize that valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell (highest principal quantum number). For lithium, the outermost shell is the second shell (n=2).
Count the electrons in the outermost shell. Lithium has one electron in the 2s orbital, so it has 1 valence electron.
Conclude that lithium has 1 valence electron available for bonding.
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