How Many Valence Electrons Does Oxygen Have? — Passage
Every atom has electrons that orbit around its nucleus. These electrons are arranged in layers called energy levels or shells. The electrons in the outermost shell are called valence electrons, and they are very important. They help determine how an element reacts with other elements.
Oxygen has eight electrons in total. These electrons are arranged in two energy levels. The first level holds 2 electrons. The second level can hold up to 8, but oxygen has only 6 in its outer shell. That means oxygen has 6 valence electrons.
Why does this matter? Valence electrons are the ones involved in chemical bonding. Oxygen needs 2 more electrons to fill its outer shell and become stable. That’s why oxygen often forms bonds with other elements, like hydrogen. In water (H₂O), each hydrogen shares one electron with oxygen, helping it complete its shell.
The number of valence electrons also helps determine an element’s group in the periodic table. Oxygen is in Group 16, also known as the chalcogen group, and all the elements in this group have 6 valence electrons.
Fun Fact: Oxygen doesn’t just help us breathe—it’s also one of the most reactive nonmetals because of those 6 valence electrons!
How many total electrons does an oxygen atom have?
68162What are valence electrons?
Electrons in the nucleusElectrons in the first energy levelElectrons in the outermost shellElectrons that never moveHow many valence electrons does oxygen have?
2468Why does oxygen bond with other elements?
To become heavierTo gain 2 more protonsTo fill its outer shell with 8 electronsTo lose all its electronsWhat is the maximum number of electrons the second energy level can hold?
2468Which element is mentioned as bonding with oxygen in water?
NitrogenCarbonHydrogenHeliumWhat group on the periodic table is oxygen in?
Group 8Group 2Group 16Group 6If an element has 6 valence electrons, what group is it likely in?
Group 1Group 10Group 16Group 6Related Content
