What is the significance of the number of valence electrons in determining an element's chemical properties?
ChemistryClass 9CBSEAnswered 12 May 2026
Answer
The number of valence electrons (electrons in the outermost shell) is crucial because these are the electrons involved in chemical bonding. Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, typically an octet. This behavior directly dictates an element's reactivity, the types of bonds it forms, and its chemical properties.
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