Valence Electrons in Platinum (Pt)
Calculate the number of valence electrons in Platinum using its electron configuration step by step.
Valence Electrons in Platinum
Determine the number of valence electrons in Platinum (Pt, Element 78)
Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Platinum
The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Platinum is:
[Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1
Calculate Electronic Configuration for Platinum
Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration
Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [Xe] core are the outermost electrons:
4f14 5d9 6s1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4f14 | 4 | f | 14 |
| 5d9 | 5 | d | 9 |
| 6s1 | 6 | s | 1 |
The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 6) are valence electrons.
Answer
Platinum (Pt) has 1 valence electron(s).
