Basic Electron Valence Rules

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Valence Shell of an atom is the last shell around the atom that has electrons in it.
There are seven main shells which have different energy levels in each which will not be address at this level. The first closest to the atom holds only two electrons while the seventh shell can hold as many as 32 electrons.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 8 8 18 18 32 32

The lower the number the number of electrons in the valence shell the more reactive the element is. Elements whose valence shell is completely filled are called Noble Gases and are Inert.