valence electron

noun, Chemistry.

an electron of an atom, located in the outermost shell (valence shell) of the atom, that can be transferred to or shared with another atom.

Origin of valence electron

1925-1930

First recorded in 1925-30

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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valence-shell in Science

valence electron
An electron in one of the outer shells of an atom that can participate in forming chemical bonds with other atoms.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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