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An element has 5 electrons in its outermost shell and belongs to the 3rd period. What is its atomic number?

9 views 3 helpful Updated Jul 5, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • A5
  • B13
  • C15
  • D23
Explanation

If it belongs to the 3rd period, it has 3 shells. If it has 5 electrons in its outermost (3rd) shell, and the inner shells are full, its electronic configuration is 2 (K-shell), 8 (L-shell), 5 (M-shell). The total number of electrons is 2 + 8 + 5 = 15. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the atomic number, so its atomic number is 15.

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