What are the electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom called?

The electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom are referred to as valence electrons. These electrons play a critical role in determining how an atom interacts and bonds with other atoms. They are involved in chemical bonding and are essential in the formation of molecules, as they can be shared with or transferred to other atoms during reactions.

In contrast to core electrons, which are found in the inner shells and are not involved in bonding, valence electrons can be easily influenced by external forces, such as electromagnetic fields or other atomic interactions. This behavior makes them fundamental to the chemistry of an element, affecting properties such as reactivity and electronegativity, and determining the types of bonds an atom can form, whether ionic or covalent.

Neutrons and protons, on the other hand, are subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Neutrons are neutral, while protons carry a positive charge. Neither of these play a direct role in the chemical bonding process, which relies solely on the behavior of valence electrons. Hence, the definition and significance of valence electrons are paramount when discussing an atom's chemical properties and interactions with other atoms.