Valence Electrons in Mercury (Hg)
Calculate the number of valence electrons in Mercury using its electron configuration step by step.
Valence Electrons in Mercury
Determine the number of valence electrons in Mercury (Hg, Element 80)
Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Mercury
The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Mercury is:
Calculate Electronic Configuration for Mercury
Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration
Electrons in all the atomic orbitals are the outermost electrons:
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 |
|---|
The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 0) are valence electrons.
Answer
Mercury (Hg) has 0 valence electron(s).
