Describe how you can use the periodic table to determine how many valence electrons an atom has. Use this reasoning to determine how many valence electrons Ca and S have.

The periodic table is organized in such a way that the elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number. Each element is assigned a specific position based on its atomic number, which represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

To determine the number of valence electrons an atom has, you need to look at the group number of the element in the periodic table. The group number represents the number of valence electrons an atom of that element possesses.

In the case of calcium (Ca), it is located in Group 2 of the periodic table. Group 2 elements have two valence electrons. Therefore, calcium has 2 valence electrons.

For sulfur (S), it is found in Group 16 of the periodic table. Group 16 elements have six valence electrons. Hence, sulfur has 6 valence electrons.

So, calcium (Ca) has 2 valence electrons and sulfur (S) has 6 valence electrons.

To determine the number of valence electrons an atom has using the periodic table, follow these steps:

1. Locate the atom on the periodic table: Find the symbol of the atom you are interested in, in this case, Calcium (Ca) and Sulfur (S), on the periodic table.

2. Identify the group number: The group number of an element indicates the number of valence electrons it has. For the main group elements (groups 1-2 and 13-18), the group number is the same as the number of valence electrons.

3. Determine the valence electrons: For Calcium (Ca), it is located in group 2, so it has 2 valence electrons. For Sulfur (S), it is located in group 16, so it has 6 valence electrons.

Therefore, Calcium (Ca) has 2 valence electrons, and Sulfur (S) has 6 valence electrons.

To determine the number of valence electrons an atom has, you can use the periodic table. Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell or energy level of an atom. The periodic table provides a systematic arrangement of elements based on their atomic numbers, which can be used to determine the number of valence electrons.

On the periodic table, each element is assigned a unique atomic number, located above the element's symbol. The atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It also corresponds to the number of electrons in a neutral atom since atoms are electrically neutral.

To determine the number of valence electrons using the periodic table, you need to consider the group number of the element. The group number tells you the number of valence electrons an atom of that element possesses. Elements in the same group have similar properties and the same number of valence electrons.

Let's apply this reasoning to find the number of valence electrons for calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S):

1. Calcium (Ca) is in Group 2 of the periodic table. Elements in Group 2 are known as the alkaline earth metals. They have two valence electrons. Therefore, calcium (Ca) has two valence electrons.

2. Sulfur (S) is in Group 16, also known as the chalcogens. Elements in Group 16 have six valence electrons. Hence, sulfur (S) has six valence electrons.

Remember that the group number indicates the number of valence electrons for elements in the main groups of the periodic table. However, there are some exceptions for transition metals and other elements in the d-block and f-block, which require more complex electron configurations.