To determine the number of valence electrons for an atom of arsenic (As), we need to consider its position in the periodic table.
1. Identify the Element: Arsenic (As) is the element in question.
2. Find the Element's Position: Arsenic has an atomic number of 33, placing it in period 4 and group 15 of the periodic table.
3. Understand Group Information:
- Period 4 indicates that arsenic has four electron shells.
- Group 15, also known as group 5A or the Nitrogen family, consists of elements that have a similar valence electron configuration.
4. Determine Valence Electrons:
- Elements in group 15 (5A) have 5 valence electrons, regardless of the period they are in.
Therefore, each atom of arsenic (As) has 5 valence electrons.
So, the correct answer is:
- 5