Valence Electrons in Calcium (Ca)

Valence Electrons in Calcium

Determine the number of valence electrons in Calcium (Ca, Element 20)

Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Calcium

The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Calcium is:

[Ar] 4s²

Calculate Electronic Configuration for Calcium

Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration

Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [Ar] core are the outermost electrons:

4s²

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:

The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 4) are valence electrons.

Answer

Calcium (Ca) has 2 valence electron(s).