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 • Feb. 8, 2024

Each combination yielded a different concentration of valence electrons within the material.

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2023

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 • Oct. 19, 2023

In the case of Cl2, each atom starts off with seven valence electrons, and each Cl shares one electron with the other, forming one covalent bond:

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

For example, Sc and Ga both have three valence electrons, so the rapid increase in ionization energy occurs after the third ionization.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019