Question

Non metals contain _______ number of electrons in their outermost shell.

• A. 1,2 or 3
• B. 5, 6,7 or 8
• C. 10 to 18
• D. 8,9 or 10

Answer 1

The correct option is B

5, 6,7 or 8

Electrons are present in the outermost orbit of non-metals:

• Non-metals are more electronegative in nature and have the tendency to gain electrons and form anions (negatively charged species).
• Non-metals have more than 4 valence electrons located right side of the periodic table. Generally, they have 5 to 8 electrons in their respective outermost shell.
• For example, the number of electrons presents in the outermost shell:

Nitrogen (N) has five electrons, Oxygen (O) has six electrons, and Fluorine has seven electrons.

• Noble gases are also non-metals having 8 electrons in their outermost shell like Ne, Ar, etc except He whose outermost shell contains only 2 electrons (duplet state).

Hence, option B is correct. Non metals have 5, 6, 7, or 8 electrons in their outermost shell.