When one electron strikes a valence shell with two valence electrons, how is the energy affected?

When an electron strikes a valence shell that has two valence electrons, it interacts with those electrons and can affect the energy distribution within the atom. In this scenario, the energy can be viewed as being divided among the existing electrons in the valence shell.

The presence of two valence electrons means that the incoming electron has to share its energy impact, essentially distributing it between these two electrons. This division occurs because the energy imparted by the incoming electron does not only add directly to one of the electrons but modifies the overall configuration of the valence shell. The energy from the incoming electron is not concentrated or accumulated into one localized area because the system needs to maintain stability among the electrons. Instead, it disperses, leading to a redistribution of energy levels in the valence shell.

In summary, when one electron interacts with a valence shell already containing two electrons, the effect is a division of energy among the existing valence electrons, thereby leading to the understanding that the correct response is that the energy is divided.