Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An electron shell is a grouping of electrons surrounding the nucleus of an atom in distinct layers. Each shell can hold a certain maximum number of electrons and determines the atom's chemical properties.
Related terms
Atom: The smallest unit of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons in electron shells.
The electrons in the outermost shell of an atom, which determine how the atom interacts chemically with other atoms.
Chemical Bond: A lasting attraction between atoms that enables the formation of chemical compounds, often involving interactions between valence electrons