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If the starting point are elements then the inner shell electrons (non valence) these orbit the nuclei of the atoms and the formation of a chemical bond does not affect these materially.

What happens to the valence electrons depends on the bond formed.

In an ionic bond electrons are transferred from say the metal atom to the nonmetal- these electrons essentially "orbit" the nuclei of the cations and anions. They are "localised".

When a covalent bond is formed the valence electrons involved are shared between the atoms, they "orbit" both nuclei. When the bond is polar covalent they spend a little more time nearer the more electronegative element.

When a "delocalised"covalent bond is formed as in bezene or graphite the electrons orbit a number of atomic nuclei.

In a metallic bond the valence electrons are also delocalised (the sea of electrons model) across the metal lattice, but in transition metals there is additional bonding between electrons in d orbitals (the tight bound electrons) and these electrons are essentially localised.

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12y ago

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