Valence Electrons And How They Are Related To Each Type Of Bond

Valence electrons are the outer electrons in the outer shell of an atom. Atoms like to gain or lose electrons in order to become more stable. When atoms give away something negative, it is in order to become more positive. When atoms gain something negative, it is in order to become more negative. Valence electrons are represented by Lewis do structures. Lewis dot structures represent valence electrons by having the element symbol in the middle of the number of valence electrons for that element. Also covalent bonds electrons are shared, in ionic they are given or taken. For example calcium has two valence electrons. To become more stable calcium will lose its two electrons to get a positive charge of two.

Visual:

 

How to identify valence electrons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-6Muq8jEAM 

 The black numbers above each group show the number of valence electrons each element in that group have. The blue shows the charge.