If we check fluorine (F) in the periodic table, we will find it in group 17 (VII)and by applying the fact “The atom’s main group number is equal to the number of valency for these atoms”. The number of phosphorus valence electrons is 5 Fluorine Valence Electrons So, how many valence electrons does phosphorus have? If we check phosphorus (P) in the periodic table, we will find it in group 15 (Vl) and by applying the fact “The atom’s main group number is equal to the number of valence electrons for these atoms”. The number of chlorine valence electrons is 7 Phosphorus Valence Electrons So, how many valence electrons does chlorine have? If we check chlorine (Cl) in the periodic table, we will find it in group 17 (VII) and by applying the fact “The atom’s main group number is equal to the number of valence electrons for these atoms”. So, the number of sulfur valence electrons is 6 Chlorine Valence Electrons If we check sulfur (S) in the periodic table, we will find it in group 16 (V) and by applying the fact “The atom’s main group number is equal to the number of valence electrons for these atoms”. The number of nitrogen valence electrons is 5 Sulfur Valence Electrons So, how many valence electrons does nitrogen have? If we check nitrogen (N) in the periodic table, we will find it in group 15 (Vl) and by applying the fact “The atom’s main group number is equal to the number of valence electrons for these atoms”. Let’s take some examples to apply the periodic table method to find the valence electrons Nitrogen Valence Electrons (Except Helium, which has 2 valence electrons) The following table shows the groups that we can find the number of valence electrons by using the periodic table method and the number of valence electrons for the elements that are located in each group: Periodic Table Group The atomic structure of these elements is different, rigid and need a different way to calculate the number of valence electrons. Note: This method can’t be used with the transition metals which are located in groups number 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12. As a result, one atom of sodium has one valence electron. Sodium Valence Electronsįor example, we can find the valency for sodium (Na) which have an atomic number of 11. So, just by checking the number of the group that contains the wanted element, we can know the number of valency for the element which is located in that specific column. Using the periodic table (Valence Electrons – Periodic Table)Īs the periodic table shows lots of important information about the elements, scientists use it to determine the number of valency by checking out the place of elements in the table depending on the facts “All elements in a single vertical column have the same number of valence electrons” and “ T he atom’s main group number is equal to the number of valence electrons for these atoms but ignore the Transition metals which are the elements located in the rectangle-shaped block made by Groups 3 to 12.

Using the periodic table for elements (Valence Electrons – Periodic Table).

We can find the valency in more than one method like: The number of electrons in a valence shell determines what element that atom is.Įlements differ in how many valence electrons they have, some have as few as one, and some as many as eight. If the shell is unoccupied it is called a valence shell. The outermost shells of an atom can be occupied or unoccupied. The number of valence electrons in any given atom determines what kind of bonding the atom has with other atoms, whether it’s going to be a metal or nonmetal, and its chemical properties. The number of valence electrons in an atom is typically symbolized by the letter n. The inner shells of the atom are usually full and there is usually one or more valence electrons found in an outside shell of an atom. Different atoms have different numbers of valence electrons. Valency are an orbital electron present in an atom’s outer shell. The number of electrons present in the outermost shell (valence shell) of an atom are called valence electrons. We can simply define valency as the electrons (or negatively charged particles) that are found in the atom outer shells and are not filled. They also help in the process of chemical bonds formation and the atom interactions.

Really, valence electrons represent how many electrons are located in an atom’s outermost energy level. Valence electrons are the outermost electrons in an atom (located in the atom outer shell) and they describe how stable the atom is.

Valence is the number of electrons an atom should gain or lose to reach the nearest inert gas electron configuration (noble gas). To understand how to find valence electrons well, you should learn first what are valence electrons and the following definitions: Learn How to Calculate the Number of Valence Electrons for a Molecule.Using the periodic table (Valence Electrons – Periodic Table).How to Find Valence Electrons for Atoms?.

Potassium element valence electrons