Silicon is an element that is found directly underneath carbon in the periodic table and thus has similar properties to carbon, including electron orbitals. how many electrons are in the valence shell of a silicon atom?

Four electrons are present in the valence shell of Silicon.

Explanation:

Valence shell electrons are those electrons which are present in the outermost shell of an atom. These valence shell electrons are responsible for in the formation of bonds with other atoms.

Silicon having atomic number 14 has fourteen electrons in its neutral state and has the electronic configuration as follow;

1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p²

In given configuration the valence shell (outermost shell) is 3 and the number of electrons present in it are four i. e. 3s² and 3p² (2 + 2 = 4) respectively.