How many electrons would be present in the valence shell of a sulfur atom (atomic number 16, mass number 32)?

• A. One electron
• B. Two electrons
• C. Four electrons
• D. Six electrons

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of sulfur, which is 16. This number represents the total number of protons in the nucleus of a sulfur atom and, in a neutral atom, also the number of electrons.
2. Understand that electrons are arranged in shells around the nucleus. The first shell can hold up to 2 electrons, the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons, and the third shell can hold up to 18 electrons.
3. Calculate the electron distribution across the shells. The first shell will have 2 electrons, the second shell will have 8 electrons, and the remaining electrons will be in the third shell.
4. Determine the number of electrons in the valence shell, which is the outermost shell. For sulfur, the third shell is the valence shell.
5. Count the electrons in the valence shell. Since sulfur has 16 electrons in total, after filling the first two shells (2 + 8 = 10 electrons), the remaining electrons (16 - 10 = 6 electrons) will be in the valence shell.