Question

State the electronic configuration of ${}_9{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ and state whether it is metal, non metal or inert gas.

Answer 1

• Atom with 9 as atomic number will have 9 electrons as well.
• Hence the electronic configuration: 2,7
• It is visible that C is just one electron less than stable electronic configuration.
• Thus C will gain one electron in a chemical reaction to attain stable electronic configuration: 2,8.
• As it has gained one electron and attained octet it is a non-metal.
• Non-metals will generally have 4 to 7 electrons in their valence shell. Here C have 7 electrons in the valence shell is a non metal.