Give the number of valence electrons in the following elements and identify the element’s reactivity (chemically stable or unstable).

1) Magnesium, Mg

2) Cesium, Cs

3) Neon, Ne

4) Carbon, C

5) Krypton, Kr

EXAMPLE Response for one element: Calcium, Ca has 2 valence electrons and is chemically unstable.

Respuesta :

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Answer:

Element  Valence electrons   Stability

1)  Mg                    2                  Unstable

2) Cs                      1                  Highly unstable

3) Ne                     8                  Stable

4) C                        4                  Stable

5) Kr                       8                  Stable

Explanation:

Elements with eight valence electrons (the noble gases) are stable because they already have a complete valence shell.

Elements with one valence electron (the alkali metals) are highly unstable because they can easily lose one electron to reach a stable configuration.

Elements with two valence electrons (the alkaline earth metals) are unstable because they need to lose only two electrons to reach a stable configuration.

Carbon would have to either lose or gain four valence electrons to form an ionic compound. Instead, the atoms join to form stable ring systems with covalent bonds.