Define the following: Valence electrons.
The electrons in the outermost orbit of an atom are called valence electrons. These electrons are involved in the bond formation and participate in a chemical reaction.
For example: Chlorine (Cl) atom has 17 electrons, on arranging these electrons in orbits, the electronic configuration of Chlorine comes 2,8,7. So, there are 7 electrons in the outermost shell, hence number of valence electrons in Chlorine atom is 7.
Other examples - Sodium (Na) , Electronic configuration= 2,8,1 , Valence electron = 1
Sulphur (S) , Electronic configuration= 2,8,6 , Valence electrons = 6
Argon (Ar) , Electronic configuration= 2,8,8 , Valence electrons = 8