Most of this interaction is a function of the outer electrons.

Boron and gallium each have only three outer electrons.

This outer electron should be at nearly one Bohr radius from the nucleus.

BH5 to finish a Lewis shell of 8 outer electrons?

This produces a stable, minimum energy configuration in which the outer electrons are tightly bound.

Replies: Assuming that the progression follows the usual order the outer electron would be 8s1.

Basically, lots of outer orbital electrons with similar energies.

Carbon has 4 outer (valence) electrons that can form these bonds.

The metals require very little energy to pull an outer electron from the atom.