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Polonium is classified as a metal, specifically as a post-transition metal, and possesses 6 valence electrons. The valence electrons of polonium can be identified by its location on the periodic table or by observing 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 polonium on the periodic table.
Next, mark the group number of polonium 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 polonium is in group 16, it has 6 valence electrons.
Using electron configuration
- First, write electron configuration of polonium
The electron configuration of polonium is [Xe] 6s2 4f14 5d10 6p4.
Learn how to find: Polonium electron configuration
- Second, find highest energy level in electron configuration
In the above electron configuration, the highest energy level (6) is marked with green color.
- Finally, count electrons of that energy level
The 6th energy level contains 6s and 6p subshells. There are 2 electrons in the 6s subshell and 4 electrons in the 6p subshell. So polonium has a total of 2 + 4 = 6 valence electrons.
Next: Astatine valence electrons
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External links
- https://materials.gelsonluz.com/2019/08/valence-electrons-in-polonium-po-facts.html
- https://www.quora.com/How-many-valence-electrons-does-polonium-have
- https://periodictable.me/tag/how-many-valence-electrons-does-polonium-have/
- https://www.numerade.com/ask/question/write-the-valence-electron-for-polonium-94205/
- https://www.answers.com/chemistry/How_many_valence_electrons_an_polonium_atom
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