FearMyChewyWafflez

Yes, and i knew this, but the element cesium goes 2, 8, 18, 18, 8, 1. while the total number of electron in each shell goes 2, 8, 18, 32, 50, 72. And sodiums atomic number is 11, lithium is 3. Again, my question is why are there electron ins in the outer shell while there can be more in the previous shell (cesium, for example) PS. You said that sodium's atomic number 3 at first, which is not true, its 11. but then you said that sodiums atomic number is 11. Did you mean lithium for atomic number 3?

Well then I shouldn't of posted in here, because this isn't for homework, just personal curiosity. The number of protons determines the amount of electrons, since atoms charges are neutral, something has to even out the positive charge of the protons. I have no idea why that might relate to my question.

Why do some elements have 1 electron on the outer shell while there can be more electrons in the previous shell? For example, all the alkali metals.

I've already submitted this question to yahoo answers, but didn't get the answer i was looking for. The question was, "When something sublimates, does it actually skip the liquid state?" Most of the answers were something like, "No, sublimation means it skips the liquid state." I already know this from 8th grade chemistry, but it still doesn't make sense to me. So I'm going to rephrase the question for those willing to answer my question When a solid melts, the spaces between the particles widen and turns into a liquid, right? And when a liquid evaporates, the space between the particles widens even more and turns into a gas, right? Sorry I;m stating the obvious and not getting to the point, but I'm getting there. So how can something skip the liquid state and go straight to a gas. In order for something to be 2 inches long, it has to be one inch long first. The only time that is would make sense if the particles teleport. Please answer this. It's been bugging me. Hope I made you understand what I mean