http://www.ck12.org Chapter 2. Matter
2.50 Valence Electrons
- Define valence electron.
- Show how to represent valence electrons with electron dot diagrams.
- Describe variation in valence electrons in the periodic table.
- Relate valence electrons to reactivity and electrical conductivity of elements.
Did you ever play the card game called go fish? Players try to form groups of cards of the same value, such as four
sevens, with the cards they are dealt or by getting cards from other players or the deck. This give and take of cards
is a simple analogy for the way atoms give and take valence electrons in chemical reactions.
What Are Valence Electrons?
Valence electronsare the electrons in the outer energy level of an atom that can participate in interactions with other
atoms. Valence electrons are generally the electrons that are farthest from the nucleus. As a result, they may be
attracted as much or more by the nucleus of another atom than they are by their own nucleus.