Zinc phosphide, Zn3P2, is often used as a rat poison. Phosphorus has 5 valence electrons. Assuming that phosphorus is following the octet rule, how many valence electrons does each zinc atom lose

Two electrons each!

Explanation:

The question pretty much requires us to find the oxidation number of Zinc in the compound.

Zn3P2

Following oxidation number rules;

O.N of Zn3P2 = 0

.Since phosphorus has valence of 5, it needs three more electrons to achieve its octet state. Hence;

Oxidation number of P = -3

Let oxidation number of Zn = x

We have;

3x  +  2 (-3) = 0

3x + (-6) = 0

3x = 6

x = 6/3 = 2

This means each zn electrons lost 2 electrons.

a rain shadow is a dry region of land on the side that is protected against the prevailing winds of a mountain range. the prevailing winds are the winds that occur most of the time in a particular place of the earth

prevailing winds carry air toward the mountain range. as the air rises up over a mountain range, the air cools, water vapor condenses, and clouds form. on this side of the mountains, called the windward side, precipitation falls in the form of  rain  or snow. this dry air produces a  rain shadow.