Difference between valence electron and differentiating electron?
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Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom. These electrons are weakly bound to the nucleus. However, free electron is not bounded, it can move anywhere inside the crystal.
One more thing, we talk about valence electrons only in case of atoms, not in crystals. However, we talk about free electrons in a crystal. An electron can't be considered as free in case of an atom.
One might get confused by the term valence electrons in crystals like electrons in valence bands, that electrons are basically inner shell electrons, not the valence electrons. So, the term valence electrons can't be used for electrons in valence band.
One more thing, we talk about valence electrons only in case of atoms, not in crystals. However, we talk about free electrons in a crystal. An electron can't be considered as free in case of an atom.
One might get confused by the term valence electrons in crystals like electrons in valence bands, that electrons are basically inner shell electrons, not the valence electrons. So, the term valence electrons can't be used for electrons in valence band.
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