👉 Valence is a quantum mechanical concept in chemistry that describes the energy levels of atoms and molecules. It is named after the Greek word "valens," which means "happiness" or "pleasure." In terms of quantum mechanics, it refers to the distribution of energies among the electrons in an atom or molecule. Valence electrons are often thought of as those with a negative charge, and valance energy levels correspond to these electrons having a higher energy compared to their counterparts with positive charges.