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The octet rule is a simple rule of thumb that states that atoms tend to combine in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shells, giving them the same electron configuration as a noble gas. The rule is applicable to the main-group elements. In simple terms, molecules or ions tend to be most stable when the outermost electron shells of their constituent atoms contain eight electrons .

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14y ago
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16y ago

all stoms strive for an octet configuration, many will react with each other , losing,gaining,or sharing electrons just to achieve this stable state. because of the 8 eclectrons present in the outer valence shell, it is unreactive as it does not need any more electrons since it already has 8.

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14y ago

The octet rule is a simple rule of thumb that states that atoms tend to combine in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shells, giving them the same electron configuration as a noble gas.

The rule is applicable to the main-group elements. In simple terms, molecules or ions tend to be most stable when the outermost electron shells of their constituent atoms contain eight electrons.

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9y ago

the octet rule is a concept of chemical bondig theory that is based on the assumption that atoms tend to have either empty valance shells or full valance shells of eight electronsThe octet rule influences chemical reactivity by regulating electron configuration. Elements must have full outer electron orbitals, other they will gain or lose electrons as a means to obtain a noble gas electron configuration.

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13y ago

Generally an atom will be in its most stable form when there are 8 electrons in its valence shell. An atom can either lose electrons to become positively charged (cation) or gain electrons to become negatively charged (anion) in order to achieve 8 total valence electrons in ionic bonding. Na will lose one electrons, thus having the electron configuration of Ne, which has a stable octet. This in turn gives Na a positive charge. In the same way Ca will lose two electrons to become Ca 2+. However, elements such as halogens will gain electrons. F will gain one electron to have 8 valence electrons, and will have a 1- charge, and O will become O 2-.

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14y ago

8 is great so the elements try to obtain 8 valence electrons by either gaining electrons or losing electrons o have 8 valence electrons in their highest energy level.

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13y ago

in most chemical reactions, atoms tend to match the s and p electron configuration of the noble gases.

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7y ago

Every element has a tendency to fill the last shell of electrons (up to 8).

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Q: Why is a stable octet configuration thought to be so stable?
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Related questions

What is the anion for xenon?

Xenon obeys octet rule and has a stable electronic configuration. So, xenon does not form any anion.


What is the anion formula for xenon?

Xenon obeys octet rule and has a stable electronic configuration. So, xenon does not form any anion.


Why noble gases so stable?

Noble gases are chemically stable because they have completely filled electron orbitals. They generally have 8 valence electrons (helium has only 2) and therefore have a stable electronic configuration.


What is octet configuration?

Octet configuration refers to how elements generally prefer to form bonds so as to attain an octet configuration, i.e. have 8 electrons in their valence shell. For example, chlorine (Cl) is from Group VII and has 7 valence electrons. It will gain one electron (eg from sodium which loses one electron to form Na+) to form Cl-, which has 8 valence electrons and so fulfills the octet rule and is stable. The electronic configuration of sodium is 2.8.1 (if you're in secondary school), or 1s2,2s2,2p6,3s1 (more advanced). So by losing one electron to form Na+, sodium also attains octet configuration.


What is the main characteristic that all the noble gases have in common?

the noble gases have octet configuration ie they have 8 electrons in their outermost shell ,so they are stable


How many electrons are in a complete octet why is having a complete octet important?

eight. it is important to obtain octet so that elements become stable.


Is argon reactive?

No, argon (Ar) is stable, inert and unreactive. The reason is that Ar is a noble gas and has the octet structure so there is no tendency to gain nor lose electrons. As can be seen from its electronic configuration, Ne 3s2 3p6, its outer shell are fully filled and thus it has the stable noble gas configuration that other atoms desire to attain so as to achieve stability.


Why do sodium and chloride ions bond together?

Sodium has 1 electron to "donate" and chlorine has space to "accept" 1 electron, so this electron transfer occurs and both have a stable octet electron configuration


Why argon is not reactive?

It has a octet electronic configuration, which means the valence electrons (the outermost shells) are 8. So, they rarely can react as a electronic shell can hold up to 8 electrons and they don't need to lose or gain electron through reactions to obtain a stable structure (octet electronic configuration)


What rule states that atoms react so as to acquire the stable electron structure of a noble gas?

octet rule


If the oxygen is a dioxide configuration and therefore stable how is it so reactive?

It reacts vigorously


How many chemical bonds in one atom of argon?

Argon is a noble gas element. It has a saturated electronic configuration i.e ns2, np6. So it has a octet configuration. It is already attained stable configuration. Also it has high ionisation energy. Small in atomic size. From the above it is confirmed that it exists in atomic state only and not is molecular form. Therefore chemical bond will be zero in an atom of argon.