answersLogoWhite

0

The outer energy shell of electrons. The inner energy shells of electrons do NOT take part in chemical bonding.

Not all outer energy shell electrons take part in bonding. Those electrons that DO take part in bonding are described as 'oxidation state'.

Taking ammonia as an example. Its formula is NH3

Nitrogen's electronic configuration is is 1s2(inner most shell), 2s2(intermediate shell), 2p5(outer most/valence shell).

The '5' is the number of electrons in this shell.

Nitrogen combines with 3 hydrogens , using up three of these 5 electrons.

The other 2 electrons remain as an unused 'lone pair'. Because it has used three electrons in bonding with hydrogen, then its oxidation state can be described as '+3'.

User Avatar

lenpollock

Lvl 17
1w ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What are the only parts an atom that make chemical bonds?

Electrons.


What electrons are used to make bonds?

Valence electrons are used to make bonds. These are the outermost electrons of an atom, which are involved in the formation of chemical bonds with other atoms.


What are the subatomic particles that make a bond?

Atoms form bonds by sharing or transferring subatomic particles called electrons. These electrons are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus of an atom. Depending on how these electrons are shared or transferred, different types of chemical bonds can form, such as covalent or ionic bonds.


What re valence electrons?

Valence electrons are: In chemistry, those electrons found in orbits farthest from the nucleus of the atom. These electrons determine the way in which the atom will combine with other atoms, and thus determine its chemical properties.


How do atoms interact and create chemical bonds?

Chemical bonds are formed by the sharing or donating of electrons. The electrons that atoms use to make chemical bonds are the outermost electrons, also known as valence electrons.


What role do valence electrons play in formation of bonds?

Valence electrons are electrons on the outermost "level". And depending on its electron configuration, it plays a role in which if the atom requires to gain or lose electrons in order to become "stable", it can accept or give electrons to another atom in a chemical reaction.


How many covalent bonds can an atom usually make?

An atom can make a number of covalent bonds equal to the number of electrons it needs to fill its outer shell


How does a atom transfer charge?

By colliding with other atoms, they share electrons and make bonds.


How many electrons would be required to make an oxygen atom stable?

An oxygen atom requires 8 electrons to become stable because it has 6 electrons in its valence shell and needs 2 more to complete it. This is achieved by forming chemical bonds with other atoms, such as sharing electrons in covalent bonds.


How many bonds does each silicon atom make?

Each silicon atom can make four covalent bonds. This is because silicon has four valence electrons in its outer shell that it can share with other atoms to form these bonds.


What are the types of chemical bonds?

The two main types of bonds formed between atoms are ionic bonds and covalent bonds. An ionic bond is formed when one atom accepts or donates one or more of its valence electrons to another atom. A covalent bond is formed when atoms share valence electrons. The atoms do not always share the electrons equally, so a polar covalent bond may be the result. When electrons are shared by two metallic atoms a metallic bond may be formed. In a covalent bond, electrons are shared between two atoms. The electrons that participate in metallic bonds may be shared between any of the metal atoms in the region.


How does ionic bonds form?

Ionic bonds are formed when atoms lose or gain electrons in order to have a full outer shell of electrons to make them stable.One atom pulls an electron from another atom.