Valence & Electronegativity (Chemistry)

Topics: chemistry, valence electrons, electronegativity, periodic trends, octet rule, structure of matter, atoms

Grades: 9-12

Standards: NGSS HS-PS1-1

Duration to complete: 10-15 minutes

Learning outcome: Students will learn what valence electrons are and how to identify them. Students will begin to conceptualize how more electronegativity atoms behave differently than less electronegative atoms. Students will learn to predict the electronegativity of an atom by counting valence electrons. Students will also recognize the electronegativity trend on the periodic table. Students will become familiar with the octet rule.

Intro for students: Electrons love to party — especially the ones in the outermost shell. Those are the valence electrons, and they must be watched. Sometimes they go to a friend’s house. And sometimes they bring friends over. Crazy electrons!