Valence Electrons in Strontium (Sr)
Calculate the number of valence electrons in Strontium using its electron configuration step by step.
Valence Electrons in Strontium
Determine the number of valence electrons in Strontium (Sr, Element 38)
Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Strontium
The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Strontium is:
[Kr] 5s2
Calculate Electronic Configuration for Strontium
Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration
Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [Kr] core are the outermost electrons:
5s2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5s2 | 5 | s | 2 |
The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 5) are valence electrons.
Answer
Strontium (Sr) has 2 valence electron(s).
