By bonding with another atom, either ionically (donates/receives electrons) or covalently (electron sharing).
This is called an "octet" of electrons. It could also be called a "closed shell", since it is characteristic of the outer shell of noble gas atoms.
Carbon does not gain or lose 4 electrons to complete its octet because it only has 4 valence electrons to begin with. To complete its octet, carbon forms covalent bonds by sharing electrons with other atoms to achieve stability due to its electronic configuration.
Atoms are trying achieve a stable electronic configuration i.e., stable arrangement of electrons in their electron shells. All configurations are not stable. Mostly stable configuration is attained by forming an octet of electrons in outer most shell. Sometimes octet rule is violated also.
A sulfur atom can achieve a stable octet by gaining or sharing electrons through chemical bonding. It has six valence electrons and needs two more to complete its octet. This can occur by forming covalent bonds with other atoms, such as hydrogen or oxygen, where it shares electrons. Alternatively, sulfur can also gain two electrons through ionic bonding, resulting in a stable electron configuration.
When atoms share electrons in a covalent bond, it helps each atom achieve a full outer shell of electrons, satisfying the octet rule for stability. This sharing allows atoms to complete their valence shell by filling it with eight electrons. This sharing of electrons results in the formation of molecules.
two electrons
by losing or gaining electrons to become stable
Atoms share, gain, or lose electrons in order to achieve a stable configuration, usually a full valence shell. This is known as the octet rule. By doing so, atoms can attain lower energy levels and become more stable.
The octet rule.
Atoms tend to achieve stability by filling their outer shell with electrons, typically aiming for a full set of eight electrons, known as the octet rule.
They can either pick the electrons from around them, or start throwing them off in a measure of radioactivity.
Atoms in the oxygen family can gain or share two electrons in order to achieve an octet of electrons.
covalent - which means "sharing of valence electrons"
This is called an "octet" of electrons. It could also be called a "closed shell", since it is characteristic of the outer shell of noble gas atoms.
This statement is known as the octet rule. It states that atoms tend to combine in such a way that they either gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full outer shell of eight electrons (octet) to attain stability.
The octet rule is a basic way to determine if the atoms involved in a covalent molecule have enough electrons to fill their valence shells. It simply says that each atom must be able to "reach" a total of 8 electrons to be full. There are many exceptions, due to it not being an entirely true rule.
Achieving a stable octet means having 8 valence electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom, which corresponds to the configuration of noble gases. Atoms can achieve a stable octet by gaining, losing, or sharing electrons to attain a full outer electron shell and increase their stability.