they need to either gain or lose electrons to create an octet. It depends on the atom.
an octet is when an atom has a full outermost energy level
Atoms can fill their outermost energy level by either gaining electrons from other atoms or by sharing the outermost electrons with another atom.
An atom with an incompletely filled outermost energy level is likely to be reactive. This is because atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable outer electron configuration. Atoms with incomplete outermost energy levels are looking to fill or empty their outermost energy level to achieve stability.
Atoms with fewer than 8 valence electrons can fill their outermost energy level by forming chemical bonds with other atoms. For example, magnesium can lose 2 electrons to achieve a full outer energy level, becoming a +2 cation. Conversely, sulfur can gain 2 electrons to fill its outer energy level, becoming a -2 anion. Both processes result in stable, filled outer energy levels for the atoms involved.
When atoms share electrons to fill their outermost energy levels, they form covalent bonds. In a covalent bond, electrons are shared between atoms to achieve stable electron configurations.
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Carbon has four electrons in the outermost energy level, which is energy level two. It needs eight electrons to have this energy level filled.
Yes, the outermost energy level of the atoms of the noble gases are filled, meaning that they have the maximum number of electrons. This is why noble gases are stable and unreactive. The atoms of reactive elements share or transfer electrons in order to fill their outermost energy levels, making them stable like the noble gases.
It is the most stable element in the universe and does not need anymore electrons. Its outermost energy level is full.
An oxygen atom can fill its outermost energy level by gaining 2 electrons through bonding with other atoms. This allows it to achieve a full valence shell of 8 electrons, following the octet rule. Alternatively, it can lose 6 electrons to achieve a full valence shell.
To determine how many more elections are needed to fill the outermost energy level of an atom, you need to know the number of electrons already present in that level and the maximum capacity of that level. The outermost energy level can hold a maximum of 8 electrons (following the octet rule) for main group elements. Subtract the number of existing electrons from 8 to find out how many more are needed to fill the level. For example, if there are 5 electrons in the outermost level, 3 more are needed to fill it.
The number of valence electrons needed to fill the outermost energy level varies depending on the atom's position on the periodic table. For most elements, the outermost energy level can hold up to 8 electrons to become stable. However, elements in the first few periods may require fewer electrons to fill their outermost level.
It would gain 2 electrons.