Which element has six valence electrons

which element has six valence electrons

Which element has six valence electrons?

Answer: The element with six valence electrons is oxygen. Oxygen is in group 16 of the periodic table, also known as the chalcogens. Elements in this group typically have six valence electrons.

Understanding Valence Electrons:

  1. Valence Electrons: These are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom and are crucial for forming chemical bonds.

  2. Periodic Table Groups: The group number for main-group elements indicates how many valence electrons an element has. Oxygen’s group number is 16, so it has six valence electrons.

  3. Electronic Configuration of Oxygen: Oxygen has an atomic number of 8, and its electronic configuration is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^4. The electrons in the second shell (2s and 2p) are the valence electrons, totaling six.

Summary: Oxygen, found in group 16 of the periodic table, has six valence electrons, which influence its chemical behavior and bonding capabilities.

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