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Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding
Chapter 8, Problem 12a

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

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Key Concepts

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

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.
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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).
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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.
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