peripheralelectron
nounUK /pəˈrɪfərəl ɪˈlɛktrɒn/
US /pəˈrɪfərəl ɪˈlɛktrɑn/
An electron that is far from the center of an atom.
The peripheral electron is loosely held by the atom.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. An electron in an outer shell that can easily move to another atom.
Peripheral electrons often take part in chemical reactions.
3. An electron located at the edge of an electron cloud.
Scientists studied the peripheral electron to understand bonding.
4. A loosely bound electron that can be shared between atoms.
The peripheral electron jumped to the nearby atom.