Valence Electrons
1. Definition
 An electron located in the outermost energy level.
 These are the electrons used for bonding compounds together
2. Counting Valence Electrons
 Column 1 elements = 1 valence electron
 Columns 2 through 12 = 2
 Column 13 = 3
 Column 14 = 4
 Column 15 = 5
 Column 16 = 6
 Column 17 = 7
 Column 18 = 8 (except helium = 2)
3. Lewis Dot Structures
 A picture that shows the element symbol surrounded by its valence electrons
(no normal electrons are included)
 Will be used to show bond formation later in the year
Spread out the
valence electrons
around the symbol
Write the
element symbol
Cl


Rule of Thumb: start right, then left, top, bottom, right ….
Elements in the same column have the same Lewis dot structure