Calculate the number of valence electrons in Erbium using its electron configuration step by step.
Determine the number of valence electrons in Erbium (Er, Element 68)
The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Erbium is:
[Xe] 4f12 6s2
Calculate Electronic Configuration for Erbium
Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [Xe] core are the outermost electrons:
4f12 6s2
Extract the principle quantum number, n, and number of electrons from the electron configuration:
Electron Configuration | n | Orbital | Number of Electrons |
---|---|---|---|
4f12 | 4 | f | 12 |
6s2 | 6 | s | 2 |
The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 6) are valence electrons.
Erbium (Er) has 2 valence electron(s).