How many valence electrons does boron have?

Step 1: Define the Problem

Identify the key components of the question that need to be addressed: Determine the number of valence electrons in a boron atom.

Step 2: Break Down the Problem

Divide the problem into smaller, manageable parts:

• Identify the atomic number of boron.
• Determine the electron configuration of boron.
• Identify the number of electrons in the outermost shell.

Step 3: Apply Relevant Concepts

Use appropriate academic theories or formulas to solve each part of the problem:

• Boron has an atomic number of 5, meaning it has 5 electrons.
• The electron configuration of boron is $1s^2 2s^2 2p^1$.

Step 4: Analysis, Verify and Summarize

Analyze each part in detail if necessary, carry out the calculations by steps. Verify the calculations result and summarize the findings:

• The valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell, which is the second shell for boron.
• In the configuration $2s^2 2p^1$, there are 3 electrons in the second shell.

Final Answer

Boron has 3 valence electrons.