Electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom are called
The correct answer and explanation is:
The electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom are called valence electrons.
Valence electrons are the electrons found in the highest energy level or outermost electron shell of an atom. These electrons play a crucial role in chemical bonding and reactions because they are the most accessible for interactions with other atoms. The number of valence electrons determines many of the chemical properties of an element, including its reactivity, the types of bonds it can form, and its placement in the periodic table.
Atoms tend to be more stable when their outermost electron shell is full. For most elements, this means having eight valence electrons, a concept known as the octet rule. Elements with a full outer shell, like the noble gases, are typically inert or unreactive because their valence shells are complete and do not need to gain, lose, or share electrons. Atoms that do not have a full outer shell will often react with other atoms to achieve a full valence shell through the formation of chemical bonds.
Valence electrons can be lost, gained, or shared during chemical reactions. For example, metals tend to lose valence electrons to form positive ions or cations, while nonmetals tend to gain valence electrons to form negative ions or anions. In covalent bonding, atoms share valence electrons to fill their outer shells.
The concept of valence electrons is fundamental in understanding the periodic trends. Elements in the same group or column of the periodic table have the same number of valence electrons, which explains their similar chemical behaviors.
In summary, valence electrons are the outermost electrons responsible for an atom’s chemical properties and bonding behavior. Their arrangement and number influence how atoms interact, bond, and form compounds, making them central to the study of chemistry.