To determine the number of valence electrons for carbon ([tex]\( \text{C} \)[/tex]) in the given table, we need to use our knowledge of the electron configuration of elements in Period 2 of the periodic table.
1. List the known valence electrons for other given elements:
- Lithium ([tex]\( \text{Li} \)[/tex]) has 1 valence electron.
- Boron ([tex]\( \text{B} \)[/tex]) has 3 valence electrons.
2. Recall the sequence of elements in Period 2 of the periodic table:
- Lithium ([tex]\( \text{Li} \)[/tex])
- Beryllium ([tex]\( \text{Be} \)[/tex])
- Boron ([tex]\( \text{B} \)[/tex])
- Carbon ([tex]\( \text{C} \)[/tex])
- Nitrogen ([tex]\( \text{N} \)[/tex])
3. Determine the number of valence electrons for each:
- [tex]\( \text{Li} \)[/tex]: 1 valence electron (already given).
- [tex]\( \text{Be} \)[/tex]: 2 valence electrons (not given, but known from periodic table knowledge).
- [tex]\( \text{B} \)[/tex]: 3 valence electrons (already given).
- [tex]\( \text{C} \)[/tex]: Carbon, being the next element, adds one more valence electron.
4. Calculate based on the increasing order:
- Li: 1 valence electron
- Be: 2 valence electrons
- B: 3 valence electrons
- C: [tex]\(3 + 1 = 4\)[/tex] valence electrons
- N: [tex]\(4 + 1 = 5\)[/tex] valence electrons (not asked for, but noted in case of pattern check)
Therefore, Carbon ([tex]\( \text{C} \)[/tex]) has 4 valence electrons.
