Valence

Electrons:
ELECTRONS
AVAILABLE
FOR
BONDING
 Definition
Valence electrons are electrons in
the outmost shell (energy level).
They are the electrons available
for bonding.
Group 1 (alkali metals) have 1
valence electron (s1)
Group 2 (alkaline earth metals)
have 2 valence electrons (s2)
Group 13 elements have 3
valence electrons (s2p1)
Group 14 elements have 4
valence electrons (s2p2)
Group 15 elements have 5
valence electrons (s2p3)
Group 16 elements have 6
valence electrons (s2p4)
Group 17 (halogens) have 7
valence electrons (s2p5)
Group 18 (Noble gases) have 8
valence electrons (s2p6)
except helium which has only 2
Transition metals (“d” block)
have 1 or 2 valence electrons
Lanthanides and actinides
(“f” block) have 1 or 2 valence
electrons
 Dot Notations
An atom’s valence electrons can be represented
by Lewis dot notations.
1 valence e- 2 valence e- 3 valence e- 4 valence e-

X X X X
5 valence e- 6 valence e- 7 valence e- 8 valence e-

X X X X
 Bellringer
Draw the Lewis dot notations for the valence
electrons of the elements of Period 2.
lithium beryllium boron carbon

Li Be B C
nitrogen oxygen fluorine neon

N O F Ne