Answer:
The element with 53 protons is iodine (I).
In the ground state, iodine has 7 valence electrons in its outermost shell, specifically in the 5p orbital. The valence electrons are the electrons involved in chemical bonding, and the number of valence electrons determines the element's reactivity and the types of chemical reactions it can undergo.
Therefore, the element with 53 protons and 7 valence electrons is iodine (I).