Question

If phosphorous has 5 valence electrons, how many does sulfur have?

Answer 1

6

Step-by-step explanation:

The atomic number for phosphorous is 15, meaning that it has 15 electrons (and protons). The first and second shells would be filled up with 2 and 8 electrons respectively, leaving 5 which goes on the third shell, which is also the valence shell, meaning phosphorous has 5 valence electrons.

Since the atomic number of sulfur is 16, the first and second shells are also filled up with 2 and 8 electrons respectively, leaving 6 to be on the third shell, the valence shell. Hence, sulfur has 6 valence electrons.