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Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding
Chapter 8, Problem 9a

(a) True or false: An element's number of valence electrons is the same as its atomic number.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom. They play a crucial role in chemical bonding and reactions, as they are the electrons that can be gained, lost, or shared when atoms interact. The number of valence electrons varies among elements and is determined by the group number in the periodic table.
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Atomic Number

The atomic number of an element is the number of protons found in the nucleus of its atoms. It uniquely identifies an element and determines its position in the periodic table. While the atomic number also indicates the number of electrons in a neutral atom, it does not directly correspond to the number of valence electrons, which can differ based on the element's group.
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Periodic Table Groups

Elements in the periodic table are organized into groups based on similar chemical properties and the number of valence electrons. For example, elements in Group 1 have one valence electron, while those in Group 2 have two. Understanding these groupings helps predict how elements will react chemically, but it is important to note that the atomic number does not equal the number of valence electrons for most elements.
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