The Valence Shell AKA The Octet Rule
Valence -- How full is the atom? Valence shell: The outermost principal energy level of an atom that includes at least one electron. Electrons in valence shell are valence electrons. ex. The valence shell of carbon is 2, with 2s22p2 as valence electron configuration Atoms can have a valence shell of 1 through 7 (highest n = valence) Noble gases have 8 valence electrons (i.e. the valence is full) Why 8? #s + #p = 2 + 6 = 8
The Octet Rule The Octet Rule! An atom can have 1 to 8 valence electrons. Whether the valence is full (has 8 e-s) or not influences the reactions that the element is involved in. The valence electrons are the ones involved in reactions (most of the time.)
More about Valence! Kernel: The kernel is the part of the atom inside the valence shell. ex The kernel of Li is 1s2. The valence shell is 2. The number of valence electrons is 1.
Valence Examples Examples: Give the valence shell and valence electron config. for Mg: Valence shell is 3 Valence electron configuration. is 3s2 How many electrons are in the valence of Mg? 2 electrons
Example ex. Arsenic: What is the valence shell? 4 How many valence electrons are there? 5 (4s2 and 4p3) What is the kernel of arsenic? 1s22s22p63s23p63d10
More Examples What is the kernel of sodium? Na: How many valence electrons are in the atoms with these electron configurations? 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d10 1s22s22p63s23p64s23d5 1s22s22p63s23p4 What is the kernel for each of the previous examples? Circle it on your handout. (You may need two circles.)