Final answer:
The element in a family of metals with three valence electrons is (c) Aluminum, as it has a valence electron configuration of 3s²3p¹, represented by three dots in its Lewis electron dot diagram, aligning with the description of the metal having three valence electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which element in a family of metals has three valence electrons. The options provided are a mixture of metals, metalloids, and non-metals. We know that carbon (C) has four valence electrons, silicon (Si) also has four valence electrons, sulfur (S) has six valence electrons, and aluminum (Al) has three valence electrons. Also, aluminum is the only metal among the options provided.
Using the information given and the Lewis electron dot diagram solution, the valence electron configuration for aluminum is 3s²3p¹. It would have three dots around the symbol for aluminum, two of them paired to represent the 3s electrons and one unpaired dot representing the 3p electron. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) Aluminum.
The element that has three valence electrons in a family of elements where all are metals except one is c) Aluminum.
Aluminum belongs to the group of elements known as the Alkali Metals. It has an electron configuration of 3s²3p¹, which means it has three valence electrons.