The atoms of metals have fewer valence electrons than the atoms of metals and metalloids.
Atoms of metals have only very few valence electrons in their outermost shells hence they donate electrons during bonding. However, atoms of nonmetals have more electrons in their outermost shells and rather accept electrons during bonding. The atoms of metalloids just have a number of valence electrons that are intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals and mostly share electrons in covalent bonds.
Similarly, atoms of metallic elements differ from each other in the number of valence electrons present in the valence shell of the atom of each element. For instance, sodium has one electron in the valence shell of its atom while aluminium has three electrons in the valence shell of its atom.
