What do we call the electrons that are located in the outermost shell of an atom?

Electrons that are located in the outermost shell of an atom are referred to as valence electrons. These electrons play a crucial role in chemical bonding and the behavior of atoms during reactions. Valence electrons are involved in the formation of chemical bonds because they are the electrons that can be gained, lost, or shared when atoms interact with one another. The number of valence electrons determines the bonding capacity and the chemical reactivity of the element.

In contrast, inner and core electrons are those that reside in the inner shells of an atom and are not involved in bonding. Free electrons refer to electrons that are not bound to any particular atom and can move freely, often found in conductive materials. Therefore, valence electrons are specifically the focus when discussing the reactivity and bonding characteristics of an atom.