Question

How many core electrons are in a ground state atom of selenium?

Answer 1

Electrons in an atom can be classified as core electrons and valence electrons. Valence electrons are those electrons which are present in valence shell and participates in bond formation. While, Core electrons are all remaining electrons which are not present in valence shell, hence not take part in bonding.

Atomic number of Selenium (Se) is 34 hence it has 34 electrons with following electronic configuration;

                          1s², 2s², 2p⁶, 3s², 3p⁶, 4s², 3d¹⁰, 4p⁴

From electronic configuration it is found that the valence shell is 4, and the number of electrons present in valence shell are 6. So, 

             Core Electrons  =  Total Electrons - Valence Electrons

             Core Electrons  =  34 - 6

             Core Electrons  =  28

Result:
          There are 28 core electrons in Selenium.