Final answer:
Selenium hexaiodide (SeI6) has a total of 48 valence electrons, with selenium contributing 6 electrons and each iodine atom contributing 7 electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the number of valence electrons in selenium hexaiodide (SeI6), we first need to determine the valence electrons of the constituent atoms. Selenium (Se) has a valence electron configuration of 4s24p4, which totals six valence electrons. Each iodine (I) atom has seven valence electrons since it is in group 17 of the periodic table. The molecule comprises one selenium atom and six iodine atoms.
Valence electrons for Se: 6
Valence electrons for each I: 7
Total valence electrons for all I atoms in SeI6: 6 x 7 = 42
Total valence electrons in SeI6: 6 (Se) + 42 (I) = 48
Therefore, the selenium hexaiodide molecule has a total of 48 valence electrons.