Flashcard - Valence Electrons and Bonding

Front

What is a valence electron?

Back

An electron in the outermost shell of an atom.

Front

How many valence electrons does carbon have?

Back

4

Front

What is the octet rule?

Back

Atoms want 8 electrons for stability.

Front

What is an ion?

Back

An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Front

What is the charge of a sodium ion with 11 protons and 10 electrons?

Back

1+.

Front

What determines the chemical properties of an element?

Back

The number of valence electrons.

Front

What is the significance of the periodic table in relation to valence electrons?

Back

Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons.

Front

How do atoms achieve stability?

Back

By having a full outer shell of electrons, typically 8 (octet rule).

Front

What happens to an atom when it loses an electron?

Back

It becomes a positively charged ion (cation).

Front

What happens to an atom when it gains an electron?

Back

It becomes a negatively charged ion (anion).