Valence Electrons in Americium (Am)
Calculate the number of valence electrons in Americium using its electron configuration step by step.
Valence Electrons in Americium
Determine the number of valence electrons in Americium (Am, Element 95)
Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Americium
The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Americium is:
[Rn] 5f7 7s2
Calculate Electronic Configuration for Americium
Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration
Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [Rn] core are the outermost electrons:
5f7 7s2
Step 3: Use the principle quantum number to identify the valence electrons
Extract the principle quantum number, n, and number of electrons from the electron configuration:
| Electron Configuration | n | Orbital | Number of Electrons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5f7 | 5 | f | 7 |
| 7s2 | 7 | s | 2 |
The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 7) are valence electrons.
Answer
Americium (Am) has 2 valence electron(s).
