What role do electrons play in chemical bonding?

Electrons play a critical role in chemical bonding by forming bonds with other atoms. In atoms, electrons surround the nucleus and are involved in interactions that lead to the formation of chemical bonds. These bonds can be categorized mainly into covalent bonds, where electrons are shared between atoms, and ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, leading to the attraction between positively and negatively charged ions.

By participating in these interactions, electrons help determine the chemical properties and behavior of the molecules produced. The arrangement of electrons in an atom's outer shell (often referred to as valence electrons) is particularly significant, as it influences how atoms combine and stabilize into compounds. Understanding this role of electrons is fundamental to grasping the concepts of chemistry, as it lays the foundation for why certain substances react in specific ways and how different materials are formed.