valence electrons

Cultural  

1. In chemistry, those electrons found in orbits farthest from the nucleus of the atom. These electrons determine the way in which the atom will combine with other atoms, and thus determine its chemical properties.

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Example Sentences

Some of these defects, including the NV center, can host what are known as electronic spins, which originate from the valence electrons around the site of the defect.

From Science Daily

Valence electrons are those in the outermost shell of an atom.

From Science Daily

Deskins performed the computational simulations and found that homogenous mixing of nickel and cobalt oxides and hydroxides benefited the electron redistribution from Ni2+ to Co3+ species and shifting valence electrons to higher energy so the Ni/Co catalysts were better prepared to participate in bonding with urea and water molecules.

From Science Daily

They theorized that sodium's core electrons, thought to be inert, would interact with each other and the outer valence electrons when under extreme pressure.

From Science Daily

The researchers found that the key to enhancing ceramic toughness lay in the use of metals from the fifth and sixth columns of the periodic table, due to their higher number of valence electrons.

From Science Daily