Question

The electron dot diagram shows the arrangement of dots without identifying the element.

? with 2 dots each above and right and 1 dot each below and left.

Which element’s symbol could replace the question mark in the diagram?

carbon (C)
tellurium (Te)
beryllium (Be)
cesium (Cs)

Answer 1

Count the dots: 2 above + 2 right + 1 below + 1 left = 6 valence electrons. An element with 6 valence electrons is in Group 16. Of the choices given, tellurium (Te) has 6 valence electrons, so the symbol is Te.