State the number of inner electrons in the element molybdenum.

State the number of inner electrons in the element molybdenum. State the number of valence electrons in the element molybdenum. State the number of outer electrons in the element molybdenum. – Type each number as a value: Ex – 10, not ten

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

Molybdenum (Mo) has the atomic number 42. To break down its electron configuration, we must look at the distribution of electrons across its various energy levels (shells) and orbitals.

Electron Configuration of Molybdenum (Mo):

The electron configuration of molybdenum is:
1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p64d55s11s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6 3d^{10} 4s^2 4p^6 4d^5 5s^11s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p64d55s1

From this, we can identify:

1. Number of Inner Electrons:
   Inner electrons are the electrons that are not in the outermost shell (or energy level). These are all the electrons in the filled inner shells. The inner electrons for molybdenum are the electrons in the 1st to 4th energy levels (shells). Counting all of these:
   • 1s^2 = 2 electrons
   • 2s^2 = 2 electrons
   • 2p^6 = 6 electrons
   • 3s^2 = 2 electrons
   • 3p^6 = 6 electrons
   • 3d^10 = 10 electrons
   • 4s^2 = 2 electrons
   • 4p^6 = 6 electrons
   • 4d^5 = 5 electrons (partial filling of the d-orbital)
   So, the total number of inner electrons = 2 + 2 + 6 + 2 + 6 + 10 + 2 + 6 + 5 = 41 inner electrons.
2. Number of Valence Electrons:
   The valence electrons are those electrons in the outermost shell (the highest energy level). For molybdenum, this would include the electrons in the 5th shell:
   • 5s^1 = 1 electron
   • 4d^5 = 5 electrons
   So, the total number of valence electrons = 1 + 5 = 6 valence electrons.
3. Number of Outer Electrons:
   The term “outer electrons” refers to the electrons in the highest occupied orbital, which in this case is the 5s and 4d orbitals. Since the 5th energy level has the 5s^1 and 4d^5 electrons, the outer electrons are the same as the valence electrons in this case. Thus, the number of outer electrons = 6 outer electrons.

Summary:

• Number of Inner Electrons: 41
• Number of Valence Electrons: 6
• Number of Outer Electrons: 6

This analysis is based on the understanding that the electrons in the 5th shell (5s and 4d) are both considered “outer” and “valence” in the context of molybdenum. The remaining electrons in the inner shells contribute to the total inner electron count.