The electrons generally involved in bonding

Options

A. Are those that lie closest to the nucleus
B. Are those for which the ionization energies are small
C. Belongs to inner shells
D. Are free electrons

Answer

To answer the question regarding which electrons are generally involved in bonding, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Electron Shells**: Electrons are arranged in shells around the nucleus of an atom. The innermost shell is closest to the nucleus, while the outermost shell is farthest away.

2. **Identifying Bonding Electrons**: The electrons that are involved in bonding are typically those found in the outermost shell, also known as valence electrons. These electrons are less tightly bound to the nucleus compared to inner shell electrons.

3. **Ionization Energy Consideration**: Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom. Electrons that are easier to remove (those with lower ionization energies) are more likely to participate in bonding. This is because they can be shared or transferred more easily between atoms.

4. **Comparison of Options**:
- **Option 1**: Electrons closest to the nucleus are more tightly bound and less likely to participate in bonding.
- **Option 2**: Electrons for which the ionization energies are small (i.e., those in the outer shell) are more likely to be involved in bonding.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the above reasoning, the electrons that are generally involved in bonding are those for which the ionization energies are small, which corresponds to the outer shell electrons.

### Final Answer:
The electrons generally involved in bonding are those for which the ionization energies are small (Option 2).

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