The Role of Electrons in Making Chemistry Happen

Electrons are the tiny, negatively charged particles that orbit an atom’s nucleus.
The outermost electrons, called valence electrons, decide how atoms interact.
Chemical bonds form when electrons are shared, transferred, or pooled between atoms.
Covalent bonds rely on shared electrons to build strong, stable molecules.
Ionic bonds happen when electrons jump from one atom to another, creating charged ions.
Metallic bonds let electrons flow freely, giving metals their conductivity and strength.
Electrons jumping between energy levels release light—this is how fireworks get their colors.
Redox reactions are driven by electrons moving from one atom or molecule to another.
The arrangement of electrons in shells and orbitals shapes the entire periodic table.
Without electrons in motion, there would be no chemistry—just lifeless matter.