Selenium is a chemical element with the symbol Se and atomic number 34. It is a non-metal and belongs to the group of chalcogens on the periodic table. Selenium has a variety of forms, including a grey crystalline metalloid and an amorphous red powder. It is an essential trace element for humans and animals, but it can be toxic in large amounts.
The electron configuration of Selenium is 2-8-18-6, meaning it has 34 electrons in total. The electron configuration shows that Selenium has 6 valence electrons in its outermost shell. These valence electrons are responsible for Selenium’s chemical properties and determine how it will react with other elements.
Selenium is known for its ability to form compounds with a variety of valences. It can form compounds with a valence of -2, 4, and 6. This is due to the fact that Selenium has six valence electrons, whch allows it to bond with other elements in a variety of ways.
When Selenium bonds with other elements, it can either gain or lose electrons to form stable compounds. For example, when Selenium bonds with Chlorine (Cl), it forms Selenium Chloride (SeCl4), where Selenium loses all its valence electrons to form a positive ion with a valence of +4. In contrast, when Selenium bonds with Oxygen (O), it forms Selenium Oxide (SeO2), where Selenium gains two electrons to form a negative ion with a valence of -2.
The valence electrons of Selenium play a crucial role in its chemical properties and make it a versatile element in the world of chemistry. Its ability to form compounds with a variety of valences makes it useful in a range of applications, such as electronics, photovoltaics, and medicine.
Selenium has six valence electrons in its outermost shell, which allows it to form compounds with a variety of valences. Its chemical properties are determined by these valence electrons, and it is a versatile element with a range of applications.
Can Selenium Have More Than Eight Valence Electrons?
Selenium is a chemical element with the symbol Se and atomic number 34. It is a nonmetal with properties that are intermediate between those of its periodic table neighbors, sulfur and tellurium. Selenium is a fairly reactive element and forms compounds with many other elements, including chlorine (Cl).
In the formation of chemical compounds, the valence electrons of an element are involved. Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom that can participate in chemical reactions. For selenium, the valence electrons are the six electrons in the outermost energy level (4s2 4p4).
In general, elements in the second period (row) of the periodic table, which includes carbon (C), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), fluorine (F), and neon (Ne), can have a maximum of eight valence electrons. This is known as the octet rule, which states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons in order to achieve a full outer shell of eight electrons.
However, there are some exceptions to the octet rule, particularly for elements in the third period and beyond. These elements can have more than eight valence electrons, which is commonly referred to as an expanded octet.
Selenium is one of the elements that can form compounds with an expanded octet. This means that in certain compounds, selenium can have more than eight valence electrons. One example of this is in the compound selenium tetrachloride (SeCl4), whre selenium has ten valence electrons. In this compound, selenium shares four electrons with each of the four chlorine atoms, resulting in a total of ten valence electrons around the selenium atom.
While the octet rule generally applies to elements in the second period of the periodic table, selenium is one of the elements that can have more than eight valence electrons in certain compounds.
Valence of Selenium
The valence of selenium is not alwys 2. Valence refers to the number of electrons an atom can gain, lose, or share to form chemical bonds with other atoms. Selenium has six electrons in its outermost shell, which allows it to have a range of valences. While selenium can have a valence of 2 in some compounds, it can also have valences of 4 and 6. This variability in valence is due to the ability of selenium to form multiple bonds with other elements, such as sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Therefore, the valence of selenium depends on the specific compound it is in and the other elements it is bonded to.
Number of Core and Valence Electrons in Selenium
Selenium (Se) is a chemical element with an atomic number of 34. It has a total of 34 electrons. Among these electrons, 28 are core electrons and six are valence electrons.
Core electrons are those that are located in the innermost electron shells or orbitals of an atom. They are not involved in chemical reactions and do not participate in the formation of chemical bonds. In the case of selenium, the 28 core electrons are distributed in the 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and 3d orbitals.
Valence electrons, on the other hand, are located in the outermost electron shell or valence shell of an atom. These electrons are involved in chemical reactions and determine the chemical properties of an element. In the case of selenium, the six valence electrons are located in the 4s and 4p orbitals.
To summarize, selenium has a total of 34 electrons, including 28 core electrons and six valence electrons. The core electrons are located in the innermost orbitals, whle the valence electrons are located in the outermost orbitals and are involved in chemical reactions.
Conclusion
Selenium is a non-metallic element that is commonly found in the Earth’s crust. Its electron configuration allows it to have a variety of valence numbers, making it a versatile element in forming chemical compounds. Selenium is also knwn for its photovoltaic properties, making it useful in solar cells. Additionally, it has antioxidant properties that have made it a popular ingredient in dietary supplements. Despite its beneficial properties, selenium can also be toxic in high doses, making it important to maintain proper levels in the body. the unique properties of selenium make it an important element in various fields, from medicine to technology.
