How do you find the number of valence electrons in a ion?
1 Answer
Well, for main group elements, there are typically 8 valence electrons.
Explanation:
Let's take examples from Group 15 (nitrogen), Group 16 (oxygen), and Group 17 (fluorine). All of these are non-metals, and they tend to be (STRONGLY) oxidizing; that is they accept electron density to give ions that are isoelectronic with the next Noble Gas. Nitrogen thus forms a
All of these ions have a full valence shell, and are isoelectronic with
Anyway, I don't know which level you need to understand. Of course, the topic can be further elaborated. The practical way of deciding the number of valence electrons is to use the Periodic Table. Reducing main-group metals tend to lose electrons to give the electronic configuration of the last Noble Gas (to form a cation), and oxidizing non-metals tend to gain electrons to give the electronic configuration of the NEXT Noble Gas (to form a cation). Can you see where I am going?