What is the significance of a valence electron

Jae Yoon Kim. Related Lessons. View All Related Lessons. Caroline Monahan. Valence Electrons. What are Valence Electrons? Valence electrons are located in the outermost shell of an atom Not every atom has the same number of valence electrons, it depends on the location of the element on the periodic table.

Image source: Caroline Monahan. How do Valence Electrons Form Bonds? As can be see within the diagram, the valence shell is that which is furthest from the nucleus. This rule is not steadfast over every element, but it does apply in the majority of cases. Select the atoms that have 5 valence electrons. Show Solution Check.

Mario Janakis. You've reached the end. We know that water consists of two hydrogen elements and one oxygen element. We must drink water to survive. But with all that being said, I highly doubt many people understand the complex procedure that had to take place to make this water. For water to achieve stability and form a covalent bond, oxygen has to gain two atoms, while hydrogen has to gain or lose one atom.

The two hydrogen atoms and the oxygen share the electrons, which, in turn, form a water molecule. Water is one of many interesting examples of how valence electrons are at work in our world today. Take a look around you. Our earth is simply filled with endless beautifully complex creations, much to the thanks of the work of valence electrons.

Page content. Medical Definition of valence electron. More from Merriam-Webster on valence electron Britannica. Get Word of the Day daily email! Test Your Vocabulary. Test your vocabulary with our question quiz! Love words? Need even more definitions? Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms The same, but different.

Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Nov. Ask the Editors 'Everyday' vs. What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?