Write the group number and draw the Lewis symbol for each of the following elements:
e. gallium

Verified step by step guidance

1. Determine the group number of gallium by locating it on the periodic table. Gallium is in Group 13 (or IIIA in older notation), which means it has 3 valence electrons.
2. Understand that the Lewis symbol represents the valence electrons of an atom as dots around the chemical symbol. Gallium has 3 valence electrons because it is in Group 13.
3. Write the chemical symbol for gallium, which is 'Ga'. This will serve as the central part of the Lewis symbol.
4. Place three dots around the 'Ga' symbol to represent the 3 valence electrons. Distribute the dots around the symbol, starting with one dot on each side before pairing them, if necessary.
5. Ensure the Lewis symbol is complete and correctly represents gallium's valence electrons. The final representation should show 'Ga' with three dots around it, indicating its valence electrons.

Key Concepts

Lewis Symbols

Lewis symbols, also known as Lewis dot diagrams, represent the valence electrons of an atom as dots surrounding the element's symbol. This visual representation helps in understanding how atoms bond with each other, as it shows the number of electrons available for bonding. For example, the Lewis symbol for gallium (Ga) would depict its three valence electrons, which are crucial for its chemical behavior.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom and are key to determining how an element interacts chemically with others. The number of valence electrons influences an element's reactivity, bonding capacity, and overall chemical properties. Gallium, with its three valence electrons, typically forms bonds by sharing or losing these electrons in chemical reactions.

Group Number

The group number in the periodic table indicates the column in which an element is found and reflects the number of valence electrons in its atoms. Elements in the same group often exhibit similar chemical properties due to their comparable electron configurations. Gallium is located in Group 13, which signifies that it has three valence electrons and shares characteristics with other elements in that group, such as aluminum.