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Calcium, classified as an alkaline earth metal, holds 2 valence electrons. The valence electrons of calcium can be determined by referring to its position on the periodic table or by using its electron configuration.
Methods
Using periodic table
Get the periodic table having the chemical elements marked on it as mentioned above.
Now mark the location of calcium on the periodic table.
Next, mark the group number of calcium on the periodic table.
The valence electrons of each main-group element can be determined by the column in which it is located.
(i.e., all group 1 elements have 1 valence electron, all group 2 elements have 2 valence electrons, skip the transition metals… then, all group 13 elements have 3 valence electrons, all group 14 elements have 4 valence electrons, and so on up to group 18 elements)
Since calcium is in group 2, it has 2 valence electrons.
Using electron configuration
- First, write electron configuration of calcium
The electron configuration of calcium is [Ar] 4s2.
- Second, find highest energy level in electron configuration
In the above electron configuration, the highest energy level (4) is marked with green color.
- Finally, count electrons of that energy level
The 4th energy level contains 4s subshell and it has 2 electrons. So calcium has a total of 2 valence electrons.
Next: Rubidium valence electrons
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External links
- https://socratic.org/questions/how-many-valence-electrons-does-calcium-have
- https://www.sciencecoverage.com/2021/01/calcium-valence-electrons.html
- https://valenceelectrons.com/valence-electrons-of-calcium/
- https://alexaanswers.amazon.com/question/0MXJ3ggqSJlr5KXIkfThhD
- https://homework.study.com/explanation/determine-the-number-of-valence-electrons-in-each-of-the-following-atoms-a-calcium-b-oxygen-c-carbon-d-boron-e-phosphorus.html
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