What are outer shell electrons termed as?

Outer shell electrons are termed valence electrons because they reside in the highest energy level (or outermost shell) of an atom and are crucial for determining an element's chemical properties and its ability to bond with other atoms. These electrons play a significant role in chemical reactions, as they are the ones that can be gained, lost, or shared when forming bonds.

In contrast, core electrons are those that are located in the inner shells of an atom and do not participate in bonding activities. Inner electrons refer to similar inner shell electrons, while conductive electrons generally refer to free-moving electrons in metals that can contribute to electrical conductivity but do not accurately describe the outermost electrons involved in chemical bonding. Understanding the role of valence electrons is essential for predicting how different elements will interact with one another in a chemical context.