outer electron
nounUK /ˈaʊtə ɪˈlɛktrɒn/
US /ˈaʊtər ɪˈlɛktrɑn/
An outer electron is an electron that lives on the outside edge of an atom.
The outer electron is the one that can jump to another atom.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. An electron in the highest occupied energy level of an atom, which mainly determines how the atom bonds.
Sodium gives away its single outer electron easily.
3. An electron far from the nucleus and only loosely held by it.
Outer electrons are shielded from the nucleus by inner electrons.
4. An electron that takes part in forming chemical bonds with other atoms.
The outer electron of hydrogen pairs with oxygen in water.