Q. Electrons in the highest energy level of an atom are called ______:
Answer: valence electrons
Notes: The outermost orbital shell of an atom is called its valence shell, and the electrons in the valence shell are valence electrons. Valence electrons are the highest energy electrons in an atom and are therefore the most reactive. While inner electrons typically don’t participate in chemical bonding and reactions, valence electrons can be gained, lost, or shared to form chemical bonds.