Examine the Sideways Periodic Chart With Electron Shell Numbers again. All of the Group I elements and hydrogen (the top row of the chart) have one and only one electron in the outside shell. That single electron is what gives these elements the distinctive character of the group. The Lewis structures are just an attempt to show these valence electrons in a graphic manner as they are used to combine with other elements. The element symbol is in the center and as many as four groups of two electrons are shown as dots above, below, to the right and left of the element symbol to show the valence electrons. All of the inert gases (noble gases) have all eight of the electrons around the element symbol, except for helium, which has only two electrons even with a full shell. Below is a demonstration of the noble gases written in Lewis structure. Notice the electrons are in red just to emphasize them.