In an electron a thought diagram the symbol for the element is used to represent

The symbol for the element is used to represent the valence electrons of an atom on the outer shell and they are shown as dots. These symbols help visualize whether the atoms and molecules exist as lone pairs or within bonds as the atoms either gains or loses or shares electrons in their valence level in order to achieve stability or complete its valence shell. These symbols are known as Lewis symbols that only show the electrons on the outermost shell as dots.