Questions: Determine the number of valence electrons in each of the neutral atoms. carbon: nitrogen: oxygen: chlorine: sulfur:

Solution Steps

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom. They determine the chemical properties and reactivity of the element.

1. Carbon (C):

   • Atomic number: 6
   • Electron configuration: \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^2\)
   • Valence electrons: 4 (from the \(2s^2 2p^2\) shell)

2. Nitrogen (N):

   • Atomic number: 7
   • Electron configuration: \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^3\)
   • Valence electrons: 5 (from the \(2s^2 2p^3\) shell)

3. Oxygen (O):

   • Atomic number: 8
   • Electron configuration: \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^4\)
   • Valence electrons: 6 (from the \(2s^2 2p^4\) shell)

4. Chlorine (Cl):

   • Atomic number: 17
   • Electron configuration: \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5\)
   • Valence electrons: 7 (from the \(3s^2 3p^5\) shell)

5. Sulfur (S):

   • Atomic number: 16
   • Electron configuration: \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^4\)
   • Valence electrons: 6 (from the \(3s^2 3p^4\) shell)

Final Answer