Valence Electrons in Gallium (Ga)

Valence Electrons in Gallium

Determine the number of valence electrons in Gallium (Ga, Element 31)

Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Gallium

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

[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹

Calculate Electronic Configuration for Gallium

Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration

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

3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹

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

Gallium (Ga) has 3 (2 + 1) valence electrons.