What do you call electrons that form bonds with other elements in compounds and generally determine the properties of elements?
ionic electrons
isotopes
shell electrons
valence electrons
Other properties of the transition metals are unique. They are the only elements that may use electrons in the next to highest—as well as the highest—energy level as valence electrons. Valence electrons are the electrons that form bonds with other elements in compounds and that generally determine the properties of elements. Transition metals are unusual in having very similar properties even with different numbers of valence electrons. The transition metals also include the only elements that produce a magnetic field. Three of them have this property: iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni).