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Chapter 8: Problem 11

Consider the element silicon, Si. (a) Write its electron configuration. (b) How many valence electrons does a silicon atom have? (c) Which subshells hold the valence electrons?

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) The electron configuration of silicon (Si) is \(1s^2 \ 2s^2 \ 2p^6 \ 3s^2 \ 3p^2\). (b) A silicon atom has 4 valence electrons. (c) The valence electrons are located in subshells 3s and 3p.

Step by step solution

01

(a) Determine the electron configuration of silicon

We need to find the electron configuration of silicon (Si). Silicon has an atomic number of 14, which means it has 14 electrons. We will distribute these electrons in various energy levels following the aufbau principle. The electron configuration of silicon Si is: \[ 1s^2 \ 2s^2 \ 2p^6 \ 3s^2 \ 3p^2 \]
02

(b) Find the number of valence electrons

To determine the number of valence electrons, we need to count the electrons in the outermost energy level. In the case of silicon, the outermost energy level is the third level (n=3). The electron configuration for the third energy level is \(3s^2 3p^2\), which amounts to a total of 2 + 2 = 4 electrons. Therefore, a silicon atom has 4 valence electrons.
03

(c) Identify the subshells holding the valence electrons

To determine which subshells hold the valence electrons, we look at the electron configuration of silicon in the outermost energy level (n=3). The electron configuration for the third energy level is \(3s^2 3p^2\). It means that the valence electrons are located in the 3s and 3p subshells. So, the valence electrons of silicon are located in subshells 3s and 3p.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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