How many electrons does carbon have? How many are valence electrons? What third-row element has the same number of valence electrons as carbon?

Step 1: Define the Problem

Identify the number of electrons in a carbon atom, determine how many of these are valence electrons, and find a third-row element with the same number of valence electrons.

Step 2: Break Down the Problem

1. Determine the total number of electrons in a carbon atom.
2. Identify the number of valence electrons in a carbon atom.
3. Find a third-row element with the same number of valence electrons as carbon.

Step 3: Apply Relevant Concepts

• Carbon's Atomic Number: Carbon has an atomic number of 6, which means it has 6 electrons.
• Valence Electrons: Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell. For carbon, which is in the second row of the periodic table, the electron configuration is $1s^2 2s^2 2p^2$. This gives carbon 4 valence electrons.
• Third-Row Element with Same Valence Electrons: In the third row of the periodic table, silicon (Si) also has 4 valence electrons, with an electron configuration of $1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^2$.

Step 4: Analysis, Verify and Summarize

• Carbon's Electrons: 6 total electrons.
• Carbon's Valence Electrons: 4 valence electrons.
• Third-Row Element: Silicon (Si) has the same number of valence electrons as carbon.

Final Answer

Carbon has 6 electrons in total, with 4 being valence electrons. The third-row element with the same number of valence electrons as carbon is silicon (Si).