Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost energy level (valence shell) of an atom. These electrons are involved in chemical reactions and are responsible for determining an element's chemical properties and behavior.
The number of valence electrons in an atom determines its electron configuration and is related to its reactivity. For example, elements with the same number of valence electrons tend to have similar chemical properties, as they have similar tendencies to bond with other elements or lose or gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.
In general, elements with a small number of valence electrons tend to be highly reactive, as they are looking to either gain or lose electrons to fill their valence shell and achieve a stable electron configuration. Conversely, elements with a larger number of valence electrons tend to be less reactive, as they are already close to having a full valence shell.
The concept of valence electrons is an important one in chemistry and is used to predict and explain a wide range of chemical reactions.