Question

What is the total number of valence electrons in each of the following molecules? a. \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) b. \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) c. \(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}\) d. \(\mathrm{HClO}_{4}\)

Short answer

The total number of valence electrons in each molecule is: a) \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\): 24 valence electrons, b) \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\): 32 valence electrons, c) \(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}\): 32 valence electrons, and d) \(\mathrm{HClO}_{4}\): 32 valence electrons.

Step-by-step solution

Find the Valence Electrons for Each Atom

Consult the periodic table to determine the number of valence electrons for each atom in the molecule. Hydrogen has 1 valence electron, Nitrogen has 5, Oxygen has 6, Sulfur has 6, Phosphorus has 5, and Chlorine has 7.

Calculate the Total Number of Valence Electrons for Each Molecule

Using the number of valence electrons for each atom and the chemical formula, we can calculate the total number of valence electrons for each molecule. a. \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) Total Valence Electrons = Valence Electrons of H + Valence Electrons of N + (Valence Electrons of O × 3) Total Valence Electrons = 1 + 5 + (6 × 3) = 1 + 5 + 18 = 24 b. \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{4}\) Total Valence Electrons = (Valence Electrons of H × 2) + Valence Electrons of S + (Valence Electrons of O × 4) Total Valence Electrons = (1 × 2) + 6 + (6 × 4) = 2 + 6 + 24 = 32 c. \(\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4}\) Total Valence Electrons = (Valence Electrons of H × 3) + Valence Electrons of P + (Valence Electrons of O × 4) Total Valence Electrons = (1 × 3) + 5 + (6 × 4) = 3 + 5 + 24 = 32 d. \(\mathrm{HClO}_{4}\) Total Valence Electrons = Valence Electrons of H + Valence Electrons of Cl + (Valence Electrons of O × 4) Total Valence Electrons = 1 + 7 + (6 × 4) = 1 + 7 + 24 = 32 The total number of valence electrons in each molecule is as follows: a) 24, b) 32, c) 32, and d) 32.