Valence Electrons in Berkelium (Bk)
Calculate the number of valence electrons in Berkelium using its electron configuration step by step.
Valence Electrons in Berkelium
Determine the number of valence electrons in Berkelium (Bk, Element 97)
Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Berkelium
The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Berkelium is:
[Rn] 5f9 7s2
Calculate Electronic Configuration for Berkelium
Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration
Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [Rn] core are the outermost electrons:
5f9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5f9 | 5 | f | 9 |
| 7s2 | 7 | s | 2 |
The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 7) are valence electrons.
Answer
Berkelium (Bk) has 2 valence electron(s).
