Question

In an atom, electrons are arranged around the nucleus in various shells. What do ‘valence electrons’ refer to?

• A. Electrons present in the first orbit.
• B. Innermost electrons.
• C. Total number of electrons.
• D. Electrons present in outermost orbit.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Electrons present in outermost orbit.

Valence electrons refer to electrons present in the highest energy shell or orbit of an atom and participate in bond formation or chemical reactions.

For example, in sodium, there is only 1 electron in the highest energy shell and hence the number of valence electrons is 1.