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How are valence electrons special?

In: Atoms and Atomic Structure [Edit categories]

Answer:

Valence electrons are the only electrons available to be gained or lost. How many electrons that are available determines which elements it will bond with and how. If there was one more valence electron in Na, then the formula for salt (NaCl) would have to be changed to NaCl₂, in order to accommodate the extra electron.
Without knowing the number of valence electrons in an element, we couldn't predict which elements would bond, or even predict formulas.

First answer by Blue. Last edit by Blue. Contributor trust: 2481 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question].

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