How can I find valence electrons in polyatomic ions?
1 Answer
Apr 28, 2015
To determine the number of electrons in polyatomic ions you will need to determine the number of valence electron for each element present in the ion and make a correction given the charge of the ion.
Example 1:
Oxygen has 6 valence electrons
Hydrogen has 1 valence electron
Need 1 more to get the charge of -1
Total number = 8
Example 2:
Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons
Hydrogen has 1 valence electron x 4 (because you have 4 atoms of H)
Need to remove 1 electron to get +1 charge of the ion
Total number = 8
Here are some videos to review to help with this concept.
Video from: Noel Pauller
Video from: Noel Pauller
Hope this helps!
