Valence Electrons in Helium (He)
Calculate the number of valence electrons in Helium using its electron configuration step by step.
Valence Electrons in Helium
Determine the number of valence electrons in Helium (He, Element 2)
Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Helium
The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Helium is:
1s2
Calculate Electronic Configuration for Helium
Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration
Electrons in all the atomic orbitals are the outermost electrons:
1s2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1s2 | 1 | s | 2 |
The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 1) are valence electrons.
Answer
Helium (He) has 2 valence electron(s).
