How does one Determine the # of Valence Electrons?
First you need to be able to determine the number of valence electrons present in each element of the compound. Since the number of valence electrons is a periodic property, the value can be easily determined by locating the element in the periodic table. As shown in the graphic below, all Group 1 elements have an s
1 electron configuration and thus have one valence electron. All Group 2 elements have an s
2 electron configuration and two valenece electrons. Group 13 elements have an s
2p
1 electron configuration and three valenece electrons. Similar logic can be applied to all other groups to obtain the results shown in the graphic below.
Once you have determined the number of valence electrons for the atoms of each element in the compound, you are ready to determine the total number of valence electrons in the molecule. To do so, add up all the valence electrons for each atom in the molecule of that compound. For instance, if you are trying to find the total number for valence electrons in CF
4, then you will need to first find out that carbon (C) has four valence electrons and fluorine (F) has seven valence electrons. Then add 4 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 to get a total of 32 valence electrons. The "7" is added four times since there are four fluorine atoms with 7 valence electrons each.
What About Polyatomic Ions?
Lewis structures can be drawn for polyatomic ions as well. In such instances, the valence electron count must also consider the ion charge. When the polyatomic ion is an anion (a negative ion), one must consider adding electrons to the valence electron count. After all, a negative ion has extra negative electrons in it (compared to its protons). So for the sulfate ion - SO42- - two extra valence electrons must be added to the valence electron count. And for polyatomic cations (a positive ion), electrons must be subtracted from the valence electron count. So for the ammonium ion - NH4+ - one valence electron must be subtracted from the valence electron count.