(a) Write the electron configuration for the element titanium, Ti. How many valence electrons does this atom possess?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of titanium (Ti), which is 22.
2. Use the Aufbau principle to fill the electron orbitals in order of increasing energy: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d.
3. Write the electron configuration for titanium by distributing 22 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d².
4. Determine the valence electrons by identifying the electrons in the outermost shell, which are in the 4s and 3d orbitals.
5. Count the valence electrons: Titanium has 2 electrons in the 4s orbital and 2 electrons in the 3d orbital, totaling 4 valence electrons.

Key Concepts

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. It is represented using a notation that indicates the energy levels and sublevels occupied by electrons. For titanium (Ti), which has an atomic number of 22, the electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d², showing how electrons fill the available orbitals.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding. They determine an element's reactivity and the types of bonds it can form. For titanium, the valence electrons are found in the 4s and 3d orbitals, totaling four valence electrons (2 from 4s and 2 from 3d).

Periodic Table and Group Trends

The periodic table organizes elements based on their atomic number and electron configurations, revealing trends in properties such as electronegativity, ionization energy, and valence electrons. Titanium is located in group 4, which typically has four valence electrons, reinforcing the understanding of its chemical behavior and bonding characteristics.