Question

select the correct answer. sodium (na) and potassium (k) are in the same group in the periodic table. sodium is in the 11th position. how many valence electrons does potassium have? a. 0 b. 1 c. 9 d. 11

Explanation:

Elements in the same group of the periodic table have the same number of valence electrons. Sodium (Na) has 1 valence electron (its electron configuration is \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{1}\), and the outermost \(3s\) orbital has 1 electron). Since potassium (K) is in the same group as sodium, it will also have 1 valence electron (its electron configuration is \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}4s^{1}\), and the outermost \(4s\) orbital has 1 electron).

Answer:

B. 1