Valence Electrons in Copper (Cu)
Calculate the number of valence electrons in Copper using its electron configuration step by step.
Valence Electrons in Copper
Determine the number of valence electrons in Copper (Cu, Element 29)
Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Copper
The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Copper is:
[Ar] 3d10 4s1
Calculate Electronic Configuration for Copper
Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration
Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [Ar] core are the outermost electrons:
3d10 4s1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3d10 | 3 | d | 10 |
| 4s1 | 4 | s | 1 |
The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 4) are valence electrons.
Answer
Copper (Cu) has 1 valence electron(s).
