outermost electron
nounUK /ˈaʊtəməʊst ɪˈlɛktrɒn/
US /ˈaʊtərˌmoʊst ɪˈlɛktrɑn/
The outermost electron is the electron that lives farthest from the center of an atom.
The outermost electron is the one that can be shared with other atoms.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. An electron in the highest occupied energy level of an atom, which mainly decides how the atom bonds.
Chemists study the outermost electron to predict how elements react.
3. The electron farthest from the nucleus in a given electron configuration.
In sodium, the outermost electron sits alone in the third shell.
4. A loosely held electron that can be removed or shared most easily.
Metals give up their outermost electron to form positive ions.