What is a valence shell?

1 Answer
Shivangi Mangotra
Dec 15, 2014

Valence shell is the outermost shell of every element. Atom of every element have different electronic configurations based on the atomic number of each element. Electronic configuration refers to the distribution of electrons in various shells/orbits/energy levels of every atom. For example,
Sodium
Atomic no.=11
Electronic configuration- K L M

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As you can see sodium has three shells in it. The outermost shell of sodium is called the valence shell and the electrons in the valence shell are called valence electrons.

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