3.5 - Valence Electrons

Valence Electrons

valence electrons: electrons in the furthest occupied energy level of an atom

@@only electrons in the@@ @@S@@ @@and@@ @@P@@ @@sublevels are considered valence electrons@@

• do NOT count D or F electrons as valence electrons

valence e- importance: the electrons that form chemical bonds with other atoms

• they determine the chemical properties of an element

Noble Gas Notation

mostly focuses on valence electrons

noble gas notation: gives an abbreviated electron configuration of an atom by using the @@previous noble gas and the rest of the configuration from that point@@

Electron Dot Structures

electron dot structure: displays only the valence electrons in an atom

• consist of the elements symbol surrounded by one dot for each valence electron in the atom

MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF VALENCE ELECTRONS IS 8

@@GROUP NUMBER = NUMBER OF VALENCE ELECTRONS [COUNT OVER TRANSITION METALS]@@

to satisfy Hund’s rule, each side of the symbol must have a **dot **before any pairs can be made

• only exception is the element “He” with a pair of dots on one side