Silver Valence Electrons

Introduction to silver valence electrons:

Number of valence electrons in a silver atom is strongly dependent upon how one is defining valence electrons. There are multiple ways one can look at valence electrons. If one were to treat electrons in the outermost Having problem with De localization of Electrons keep reading my upcoming posts, i will try to help you.

It is common for students in the initial stages to begin to equate number of valence electrons with the group number in the periodic table to which the element belongs. The formula does work for some elements of group 1 and 2, e.g. Li, Na, Be etc. It fails miserably for other elements, e.g. Fe, Co and Ni are placed in group VIII and clearly it is impossible for each of them to have 8 valence electrons.

Valency and Valence Electrons:

A large number of elements display multiple valencies arising due to differing behavior of valence electrons. If all the valence electrons were to come into play every time then formation of multiple compounds like CO and CO2 would never have been possible.

Multiple valencies are best explained by theories of electron configuration and energy levels provided by quantum mechanics. It identifies valence electrons as ones with the highest principal quantum number (Shells of the earlier theory put forth by Bohr). Electron configuration of Carbon is (1s)2(2s)2(2p)2, which leaves four electrons in the n=2 shell, which become valence electrons for C. However, two electrons in 2s being in a relatively more stable energy level makes it possible for C to depict a valency of 2 with formation of compounds such as CO. Is this topic specific heat practice problems hard for you? Watch out for my coming posts.

Valence Electrons for Silver:

The theory described explains neatly the valence electrons for main group elements but again tends to fail as we move up towards elements with higher atomic numbers. The essence of it is that a theory exists but a simple (or even algebraic) formula cannot be given to determine valence electrons, which would explain all the elements.

There is only one electron in the n=5 shell of a silver atom. Fortunately silver displays only a single valency of one unlike its group neighbors Cu and Au, which display multiple valencies while reacting with other elements and forming compounds. Hence, replying to a question on number of valence electrons in silver with an answer of one valence electron would make all concerned happy at the school level and get full marks to students.