Which statement correctly compares the valence electrons for atoms of francium (Fr) and barium (Ba)?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

Barium has more valence electrons, and they are in a higher energy level.
Barium has more valence electrons, and they are in a higher energy level.

Francium has fewer valence electrons, but they are in a higher energy level.
Francium has fewer valence electrons, but they are in a higher energy level.

Francium has more valence electrons, and they are in a higher energy level.
Francium has more valence electrons, and they are in a higher energy level.

Barium has fewer valence electrons, but they are in a higher energy level.

Answer 1

To compare the valence electrons for francium (Fr) and barium (Ba):

• Barium (Ba) has 2 valence electrons (as it is in Group 2 of the periodic table).
• Francium (Fr) also has 1 valence electron (as it is in Group 1 of the periodic table).

Regarding the energy levels:

• Barium's electrons are in the 6th energy level (6s).
• Francium's valence electron is in the 7th energy level (7s).

Given this information, we can analyze the provided statements:

1. Barium has more valence electrons, and they are in a higher energy level. (This is incorrect; Ba has more than Fr in terms of valence electrons.)
2. Francium has fewer valence electrons, but they are in a higher energy level. (This is correct; Fr has 1 valence electron in the 7th level compared to Ba's 2 in the 6th.)
3. Francium has more valence electrons, and they are in a higher energy level. (This is incorrect; Fr has fewer valence electrons than Ba.)
4. Barium has fewer valence electrons, but they are in a higher energy level. (This is incorrect; Ba actually has more valence electrons than Fr.)

Therefore, the correct response is:

Francium has fewer valence electrons, but they are in a higher energy level.