Question

The number of electrons in the valence shell of a carbon atom is _

• A. Four
• B. Six

Answer 1

Step 1:

An atom is a very small particle of a chemical element that can exist on its own or not.

The valence electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom are called the valence shell.

The atomic number of Carbon ($\mathrm{C}$) atom is six.

The electronic configuration of Carbon atom is $1{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{s}}^{2}2{\mathrm{p}}^2$.

Step 2:

The two electrons are present in the inner $\mathrm{K}$ subshell of the carbon atom and the outermost subshell $\mathrm{L}$ contains four valence electrons.

So, the valency of a Carbon atom is four.

Hence, the number of electrons in the valence shell of a Carbon atom is four.