Valence Electrons in Oxygen (O)

Valence Electrons in Oxygen

Determine the number of valence electrons in Oxygen (O, Element 8)

Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Oxygen

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

[He] 2s² 2p⁴

Calculate Electronic Configuration for Oxygen

Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration

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

2s² 2p⁴

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

Oxygen (O) has 6 (2 + 4) valence electrons.