Electrons & ValenceHESI A2 cheat sheet

Where the electrons sit

7 key facts 5 practice questions Reviewed Oct 2026

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Shells

Shell capacity: 2, 8, 18
The outermost shell holds the valence electrons

Valence & Groups

Group 1 has 1 valence electron, group 2 has 2, groups 13–18 have 3–8

The Octet Rule

Atoms gain, lose or share to reach eight valence electrons
Noble gases already have a full shell — hence unreactive

Ions

Metals lose electrons → cations (+)
Nonmetals gain electrons → anions (−)

Key takeaway

Where the electrons sit

Before you read

Test yourself first: 5 questions

Question 1 of 5

Valence electrons are the electrons:

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