although helium has only __________ electrons in its outer shell, it is grouped with elements that have ________________.

Although helium has only 2 electrons in its outer shell, it is grouped with elements that have 8 electrons in their outer shell. This is because helium's outer shell (its 1s orbital) is full with 2 electrons, making it stable like the other noble gases in Group 18, which typically have 8 valence electrons. Helium is therefore classified with the noble gases despite having fewer valence electrons than the others in the group.