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QuestionChemistry

Does hydrogen have 1 or 2 valence electrons?
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Answer

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Step 1:
: Understand the question

The question asks about the number of valence electrons in a hydrogen atom. Valence electrons are the outermost electrons in an atom that can participate in the formation of chemical bonds with other atoms.

Step 2:
: Recall relevant information about hydrogen

Hydrogen is the first element in the periodic table, with an atomic number of 1. This means that a neutral hydrogen atom has one proton and one electron.

Step 3:
: Explain the electron configuration of hydrogen

In its ground state, hydrogen has its single electron in the 1s orbital, which is the closest orbital to the nucleus. The principal quantum number (n) for the 1s orbital is 1.

Step 4:
: Determine the number of valence electrons

For hydrogen, with its electron in the 1s orbital, the valence electron count is 1. This is because the valence electrons are the ones in the outermost shell, which in this case is the only shell present.

Final Answer

Hydrogen has 1 valence electron.