How many valence electrons does helium have?

2 Answers
Feb 17, 2015

#2#.

Explanation:

Helium is located in period 1, group 18 of the Periodic Table and has an atomic number equal to 2. As a result, neutral helium will only have 2 electrons surrounding its nucleus.

Valence electrons are the electrons located in an atom's outermost shell. In helium's case, both its electrons will be valence electrons.

http://scienceforkids.kidipede.com/chemistry/atoms/helium.htm

Its electron configuration can be used to better show this

#"He" = 1s^(2)#

Two electrons in its outermost (and only) shell, two valence electrons.

2 valence electrons

Explanation:

Helium only has two electrons, both of which fill its "s". It only has one electron shell so it has two electrons on the outside.