The element group VI A, also known as the chalcogen group, consists of the elements oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and polonium. These elements are characterized by having six valence electrons, which is why they are placed in group VI A of the periodic table.
The period number refers to the row of elements on the periodic table. Elements in period 3 include sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, and argon.
It is not possible to determine the number of protons in the nucleus of an element based on its group and period alone. The number of protons in the nucleus of an element is equal to its atomic number, which is a unique property of each element.
Oxygen, which is the first element in group VI A, has an atomic number of 8, which means it has 8 protons in its nucleus. Sulfur, which is the second element in group VI A, has an atomic number of 16, which means it has 16 protons in its nucleus. Selenium, which is the third element in group VI A, has an atomic number of 34, which means it has 34 protons in its nucleus. Tellurium, which is the fourth element in group VI A, has an atomic number of 52, which means it has 52 protons in its nucleus. Polonium, which is the fifth element in group VI A, has an atomic number of 84, which means it has 84 protons in its nucleus.
Elements in period 3 with atomic numbers 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, and argon, respectively. These elements have 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 protons in their nuclei, respectively.