valence electron
Sign in to saveouter shell electron that is associated with an atom, and that can participate in the formation of a chemical bond if the outer shell is not closed
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A valence electron is an electron in the outermost shell of an atom that can participate in forming chemical bonds with other atoms. These electrons matter because they determine how an atom will interact with other atoms and what kinds of compounds it can form.
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Four covalent bonds. Carbon has four valence electrons and here a valence of four. Each hydrogen atom has one valence electron and is univalent.
In chemistry and physics, valence electrons are electrons in the outermost shell of an atom, and that can participate in the formation of a chemical bond if the outermost shell is not closed. In a single covalent bond, a shared pair forms with both atoms in the bond each contributing one valence electron.