Crazy Science Lady

Dot Diagrams

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Dot Diagrams

Atoms are most stable when the outer energy levels are full (usually 8 electrons). A dot diagram represents the electrons in the outer energy level. The number of electrons in the outer energy level determines to which family a given element belongs. Excluding families 3-12, an element's family is determined by looking for the family number whose "ones" digit is the same as the number of dots surrounding the element's atomic number. For instance, an element with eight dots (eight electrons in its outer energy level) belongs to family number 18.

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