Name an element in the third period (row) of the periodic table with the following: c. four 3p electrons

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that the third period of the periodic table refers to the third row. This period includes the elements from sodium (Na) to argon (Ar).
2. Step 2: Recall that the 3p subshell is part of the third energy level (n=3) in an atom. The 3p subshell can hold up to six electrons.
3. Step 3: Identify that the elements in the third period start filling the 3p subshell after the 3s subshell is filled. The 3s subshell is filled at magnesium (Mg), so the 3p subshell starts filling at aluminum (Al).
4. Step 4: Count the number of 3p electrons for each element starting from aluminum (Al). Aluminum (Al) has one 3p electron, silicon (Si) has two, phosphorus (P) has three, and sulfur (S) has four.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the element in the third period of the periodic table with four 3p electrons is sulfur (S).

Key Concepts

Periodic Table Structure

The periodic table is organized into rows (periods) and columns (groups) based on atomic number and electron configuration. Elements in the same period have the same number of electron shells. The third period includes elements from sodium (Na) to argon (Ar), which have three electron shells.

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. For elements in the third period, the electron configuration follows the order of filling the 3s and 3p orbitals. The presence of four 3p electrons indicates that the element has a configuration that includes the 3p subshell being partially filled.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are crucial for determining chemical properties and reactivity. In the context of the third period, an element with four 3p electrons would have a total of four valence electrons, influencing its bonding behavior and placement in the periodic table.