#### Related to [[Orbitals]] --- ## Definition - Valence electrons are the electrons on the outer most [orbital](Orbitals.md) on an atom. --- >[!tip] >- Always remember to account for the **charge** of an element as that may effect the number of valence electrons! >- Elements with an **unfilled** valence shell have much higher potential energy then those with a filled shell. >- The column number *(left to right)* of an element in s block and p block is the number of valence electrons that element has. ## How to find the number of valence electrons - The number of valence electrons is simply the number of electrons on the outer most **s and p** "level" of an element's orbital. - Count the number of electrons on the highest orbital *(which is given by **the number before the subshell or letter n).*** >[! Example of valence electrons] ><br> > >![[Valence Electrons.png]] --- ## Valence electrons on the periodic table - You can also use the periodic table to help determine or estimate the number of valence electrons a given element has. > [! Valence electron trend on the periodic table] > <br> > > ![[Valence Electrons on the periodic table.png]] --- ## Valence shell expansion - Elements starting in the 3rd row have access to a high energy **d orbital** which allows them to participate in more bonds - For more on this see section in [[Lewis dot structures]] --- #subpage