Question

The element oxygen has _____ valence electrons. (Input only a whole number, such as 7.)

Answer 1

Looking at the periodic table, oxygen is in group 6A, meaning it has 6 valence electrons. Another way to determine this is look for the noble gas in the same row as the element whom's valence electrons you wish to find and subtract 1 valence electron from 8 until you reach the desired element. This will be your amount of valence electrons :)

Answer 2

Remark
The short Answer is 6. That's why the ion has a charge of minus 2. Oxygen is doing it's best to have its outer ring have 8 electrons which is the number of outer electrons contained in the outer ring of the Noble Gas Neon.

Answer 6.