Question

The electrons in the outermost energy level are responsible for the atoms _____. These electrons are called the _______ electrons. There can never be more than _____ of these electrons.

Answer 1

The outermost electrons, known as valence electrons, determine an atom's chemical properties and its maximum number can be 8. These are separate from core electrons and elements with a full valence shell exhibit stability and lower reactivity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electrons in the outermost energy level are responsible for the atom's chemical properties and reactivity. These electrons are called the valence electrons. There can never be more than 8 valence electrons in the outermost energy level (except for special cases involving higher energy levels and larger atoms).

Valence electrons are distinct from core electrons, which are the electrons in the inner shells closer to the nucleus. Atoms with a full outer shell of valence electrons are typically more stable and less reactive. For example, noble gases like helium have full valence shells, making them relatively inert. The concept of valence electrons is crucial for understanding how atoms form chemical bonds and molecules, as atoms tend to seek out configurations that fill their outermost shells.