Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The localized electron model is a model which assumes that an electron belongs to one or two atoms and its movement can be described accurately only relative to these atoms.
Related terms
Molecular Orbital Theory: A method for determining molecular structure in which electrons are not assigned to individual bonds between atoms, but are treated as moving under the influence of the nuclei in whole molecule.
Chemical Bonding: The joining together of atoms to form new substances; chemical bonding involves either transferring or sharing electrons and can be explained using models like localized electron model.
Diagrams that show how valence electrons are arranged among atoms in a molecule; they help predict many properties of molecules and ions including shape, polarity, and reactivity.