Use the periodic table to answer the question.

Question

An illustration shows the periodic table of elements. The elements in the periodic table are arranged in groups (columns numbered 1 through 18) and periods (rows numbered 1 through 7) such that the atomic number increases along a period from left to right. The elements are divided into the following categories: · Alkali metals · Alkaline earth metals · Transition metals · Post-transition metals · Lanthanides · Actinides · Metalloids · Nonmetals · Noble gases · Unknown The elements are also classified on the basis of their physical states as follows: · Solid · Liquid · Gas · Unknown The element sulfur is enlarged with the following properties. · Chemical symbol: S · Name: Sulfur · Atomic Number: 16 · Atomic mass: 32.06 · Common oxidation states: 6, 4, 2, negative 2 · Electronegativity: 2.58 · Ionization energies: 999.589 · Electron configuration: [Ne] 3s2 3p4



Which element has three orbitals and four valence electrons?

(1 point)
Responses

aluminum (Al)
aluminum (Al)

germanium (Ge)
germanium (Ge)

silicon (Si)
silicon (Si)

gallium (Ga)
gallium (Ga)
Remaining Attempts : 3
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Answer 1

To determine which element has three orbitals and four valence electrons, we need to look at the electron configuration and the number of valence electrons for each of the given elements:

1. Aluminum (Al):

   • Atomic number: 13
   • Electron configuration: [Ne] 3s² 3p¹
   • Valence electrons: 3 (from 3s and 3p orbitals)

2. Germanium (Ge):

   • Atomic number: 32
   • Electron configuration: [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p²
   • Valence electrons: 4 (from 4s and 4p orbitals, but it has electrons in 3d, indicating more than three principal energy levels/orbitals)

3. Silicon (Si):

   • Atomic number: 14
   • Electron configuration: [Ne] 3s² 3p²
   • Valence electrons: 4 (from 3s and 3p orbitals)

4. Gallium (Ga):

   • Atomic number: 31
   • Electron configuration: [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹
   • Valence electrons: 3 (from 4s and 4p orbitals, similar to aluminum)

From this analysis, both Silicon (Si) and Germanium (Ge) have four valence electrons, but only Silicon (Si) has three principal energy levels (1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, and 3p). Germanium has additional electrons in the 3d subshell, indicating it is in a higher principal energy level, resulting in more than three orbitals.

Therefore, the element that has three orbitals and four valence electrons is silicon (Si).