Valence electrons are the electrons located in an atom's outermost shell. They play a critical role in chemical bonding and reactions and determine the atom's reactivity and placement in the Periodic Table.
The electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom are correctly referred to as valence electrons. These electrons play a crucial role in chemical bonding and reactions because they are the most distant from the atom's nucleus and thus, the most loosely bound, making them available for interactions with other atoms. For instance, when atoms interact to form a chemical bond, the valence electrons are often the ones that are shared, transferred, or involved in the bond formation. The number of valence electrons in an atom also determines the atom's reactivity and its placement in the Periodic Table.
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