Valence Electrons in Fluorine (F)

Valence Electrons in Fluorine

Determine the number of valence electrons in Fluorine (F, Element 9)

Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Fluorine

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

[He] 2s² 2p⁵

Calculate Electronic Configuration for Fluorine

Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration

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

2s² 2p⁵

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 = 2) are valence electrons.

Answer

Fluorine (F) has 7 (2 + 5) valence electrons.