An atom with a valence of 3 may have a total of ________ electrons.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An atom's valence refers to the number of electrons in its outer shell. If an atom has a valence of 3, it means it has three electrons in its outer shell. However, the total number of electrons in the atom is determined by its atomic number, which can vary widely.

To determine the total number of electrons for an atom with a valence of 3, we need to know its atomic number. The atomic number is equal to the number of protons in the atom's nucleus, which is also equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom.

Assuming the atom in question is neutral and has an atomic number of 13 (since 13 is the only answer choice containing this number), we can determine the total number of electrons as follows:

1st shell: 2 electrons
2nd shell: 8 electrons
3rd shell: 3 electrons (valence electrons)

Total electrons = 2 + 8 + 3 = 13.

Therefore, the best choice is C.

An Atom with a Valence of 3 May Have a Total