Valence electrons
Definition
Valence electrons are the outermost electrons in an atom that participate in chemical bonding. They determine the reactivity and chemical properties of an element.
Analogy
Think of valence electrons as the "social butterflies" of an atom. Just like how popular students at school have many friends and influence social interactions, valence electrons are the ones that interact with other atoms to form bonds and create compounds.
Related terms
Electron configuration: The arrangement of electrons within an atom's energy levels and sublevels.
Lewis dot structure: A diagram that represents the valence electrons of an atom using dots around its symbol.
Octet rule: The tendency for atoms to gain, lose, or share electrons in order to achieve a stable electron configuration with eight valence electrons.
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