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In the simplest sense, an atom can either gain or lose an electron to become more stable. Very electronegative atoms like fluorine and oxygen tend to gain electrons, whereas atoms that are less electronegative like the alkali metals tend to lose electrons. In these cases, an electron is sent to a lower energy state, thus making the atom more stable.

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Does the presence of an octet makes an atom very likely to react with other elements?

Yes, atoms with an octet are stable and less likely to react with other elements because they have a full outer shell. Octet rule states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full outer shell, making them more stable.


Are Atoms which possess completed outer energy level or have a stable octet are inert?

Atoms with a complete outer energy level or stable octet are more stable and less likely to react with other atoms. Inert gases like helium, neon, and argon have full outer energy levels and do not readily react with other elements, making them chemically stable.


Why does an atom want to be stable?

Atoms want to be stable because stability leads to a lower energy state, which is more favorable. When atoms are stable, their outer electron shells are filled or partially filled, which results in a more balanced state. Atoms achieve stability by gaining, losing, or sharing electrons to reach a more stable electron configuration.


What process do atoms undergo to become stable?

Atoms become stable by gaining or losing electrons to achieve a full outer electron shell. This involves forming bonds with other atoms to share or transfer electrons. Once the outer shell is full, the atom is more stable and less likely to react with other atoms.


Atoms that are unstable are more likely to be what than atoms that are stable?

Atoms that are unstable are more likely to be radioactive than atoms that are stable. This means they can emit radiation in the form of alpha or beta particles, or gamma rays, in order to reach a more stable state.

Related Questions

Are atoms more stable as elements or compounds?

Unless it is an element that has a full valence shell naturally - like neon, krypton, etc. - atoms are incredibly unstable. When a compound is formed the atoms either share or exchange electrons in order to completely fill their valence shells. Unless it is an element that has a full valence shell naturally - like neon, krypton, etc. - atoms are incredibly unstable. When a compound is formed the atoms either share or exchange electrons in order to completely fill their valence shells.


Describe the type of electron configuration that makes an atom stable and not likely to react?

A full valence shell of electrons, typically with eight electrons, known as the octet rule, makes an atom stable and less likely to react with other atoms. This configuration is achieved by gaining, losing, or sharing electrons to reach a noble gas configuration. Atoms with a full valence shell are generally more stable and do not readily form chemical bonds.


How compounds affect an atoms stability?

Most atoms are not stable in their natural state, so they tend to react with other atoms in different ways to become more stable.Read more: How_do_compounds_affect_an_atoms_stability


Does the presence of an octet makes an atom very likely to react with other elements?

Yes, atoms with an octet are stable and less likely to react with other elements because they have a full outer shell. Octet rule states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full outer shell, making them more stable.


Why do atoms react with one another and form chemical bonds?

Atoms react with one another and form chemical bonds to achieve a stable electron configuration. By sharing, gaining, or losing electrons, atoms can attain a full outer energy level and be in a lower energy state, increasing their stability. This allows them to form more stable compounds and maximize their bonding energy.


Are Atoms which possess completed outer energy level or have a stable octet are inert?

Atoms with a complete outer energy level or stable octet are more stable and less likely to react with other atoms. Inert gases like helium, neon, and argon have full outer energy levels and do not readily react with other elements, making them chemically stable.


What makes elements more stable?

Elements are more stable when their outer electron shells are full. This configuration gives the atoms a lower energy state, making them less likely to react with other atoms. Additionally, elements with full shells tend to have a more symmetrical and stable electron distribution.


Why does an atom want to be stable?

Atoms want to be stable because stability leads to a lower energy state, which is more favorable. When atoms are stable, their outer electron shells are filled or partially filled, which results in a more balanced state. Atoms achieve stability by gaining, losing, or sharing electrons to reach a more stable electron configuration.


What is the atomic number of carbon is 6 and Argon is 18 which atom is more stable?

Argon is more stable than carbon. Argon is a noble gas, and as such occurs in nature with a filled valence shell, having an octet (8) of valence electrons, which makes it so stable that it is virtually nonreactive. Carbon atoms react in order to achieve an octet of valence electrons, usually by covalent bonding with other atoms.


Valence electrons found where?

Valence electron are found in the outer shell of an atom. Depending on the number of valence electrons, the atom is more or less stable: fewer => less stable and more => more stable (inert). Stable = less likely to react with other atoms.


What predicts that atoms will react with each other to become more stable by filling their valence shells with eight electrons?

the octet rule does


What process do atoms undergo to become stable?

Atoms become stable by gaining or losing electrons to achieve a full outer electron shell. This involves forming bonds with other atoms to share or transfer electrons. Once the outer shell is full, the atom is more stable and less likely to react with other atoms.