Question

How many electrons does helium have?

Answer 1

Hint The answer here is dependent on the basic concept of chemistry, which tells about the atom, that is the number of protons in an atom are always equal to the number of electrons. Find the answer based on this fact.

Complete step – by – step answer:
We are familiar with the concepts of atoms, its structure, composition and also the properties about it from the basic concepts of chemistry from the lower classes.
Let us now see how to calculate the number of electrons present in an atom with the help of the data given and approach the correct answer.
- An atom is the smallest particle that can exist which builds the entire universe. It is composed of a central nucleus which has positively charged species called protons and the neutral species that are called neutrons.
- The electrons that are negatively charged are revolving around the orbit of the nucleus.
- The protons are nothing but the one which gives the atomic number and always the number of protons are equal to the number of electrons and therefore they are equal.
- Now, to find the number of electrons, let us see the atomic number of an element given that is helium.
- Helium is the element that is placed in the second position in the atomic number series which has the atomic number of 2 and belongs to the p block elements with group 18 in the periodic table.
- The electronic configuration of helium according to its atomic number thus can be written as $1s^2$.
This means that there are 2 protons and 2 electrons in the atom.

Therefore, the correct answer is Helium has 2 electrons in it.

Note: Note that Helium is the second lightest element which occurs the odourless, tasteless and colourless gas and is the first element which comes under the noble gas group that is group 18 as it has the completely filled electrons and cannot lend the electrons.