Valence electrons are those electrons in the outermost principal quantum level (highest n level) of an atom in its ground state. Groups 1A to 8A have from 1 to 8 valence electrons. For each group of the representative elements (1A–8A), give the number of valence electrons, the general valence electron configuration, a sample element in that group, and the specific valence electron configuration for that element.

Group 1A - Alkali Metals 1. Valence electrons: 1 2. General valence electron configuration: ns^1 3. Sample element: Sodium (Na) 4. Specific valence electron configuration for Sodium: \(2s^2 2p^6 3s^1\) Group 2A - Alkaline Earth Metals 1. Valence electrons: 2 2. General valence electron configuration: ns^2 3. Sample element: Magnesium (Mg) 4. Specific valence electron configuration for Magnesium: \(2s^2 2p^6 3s^2\) Group 3A - Boron Group 1. Valence electrons: 3 2. General valence electron configuration: ns^2 np^1 3. Sample element: Aluminum (Al) 4. Specific valence electron configuration for Aluminum: \(2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1\) Group 4A - Carbon Group 1. Valence electrons: 4 2. General valence electron configuration: ns^2 np^2 3. Sample element: Carbon (C) 4. Specific valence electron configuration for Carbon: \(2s^2 2p^2\) Group 5A - Nitrogen Group 1. Valence electrons: 5 2. General valence electron configuration: ns^2 np^3 3. Sample element: Nitrogen (N) 4. Specific valence electron configuration for Nitrogen: \(2s^2 2p^3\) Group 6A - Oxygen Group (Chalcogens) 1. Valence electrons: 6 2. General valence electron configuration: ns^2 np^4 3. Sample element: Oxygen (O) 4. Specific valence electron configuration for Oxygen: \(2s^2 2p^4\) Group 7A - Halogens 1. Valence electrons: 7 2. General valence electron configuration: ns^2 np^5 3. Sample element: Fluorine (F) 4. Specific valence electron configuration for Fluorine: \(2s^2 2p^5\) Group 8A - Noble Gases 1. Valence electrons: 8 (except Helium, which has 2) 2. General valence electron configuration: ns^2 np^6 (except Helium: 1s^2) 3. Sample element: Neon (Ne) 4. Specific valence electron configuration for Neon: \(2s^2 2p^6\)