Question

using the information in the periodic table, how would you rank the elements sodium na (#11), aluminum al (#13), and chlorine cl (#17) in order of increasing number of valence electrons?
a - chlorine has more valence electrons than sodium, but fewer than aluminum
b - chlorine has fewer valence electrons than both sodium and aluminum
c - aluminum has more valence electrons than sodium, but fewer than chlorine.
d - aluminum has more valence electrons than chlorine, but fewer than sodium.

Explanation:

Step1: Find valence electrons

Sodium (Na) has 1, aluminum (Al) has 3, chlorine (Cl) has 7.

Step2: Rank them

1 < 3 < 7, so Na < Al < Cl.

Answer:

C - Aluminum has more valence electrons than sodium, but fewer than chlorine.