Final answer:
Valence electrons are those electrons that are available to be lost, gained, or shared when atoms form chemical compounds, playing a crucial role in both covalent and ionic bonding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The valence electrons are available to be lost, gained, or shared in the formation of chemical compounds.
In the context of chemical bonding and nomenclature, valence electrons play a critical role. These are the outer-shell electrons of an atom and determine how an atom will interact with other atoms. During covalent bonding, valence electrons are shared between atoms, and in ionic bonding, they are transferred from one atom to another, leading to the formation of molecules or compounds. Elements that have their valence shell filled with electrons are generally less reactive, as they tend to be more chemically stable than those whose valence shell is not filled.
The octet rule guides the formation of most compounds by the need to have eight electrons in the valence shell, either by gaining or losing electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration. Hence, the valence electrons are the key to understanding an element's chemical properties, its reactivity, and the types of bonds it can form.