UNIT 6 : THE CHEMICAL BOND
MÂŞ Eugenia Becerril Quintero Science Departament I.E.S. Clara Campoamor
1. OCTET RULE
The octet rule says that atoms tend to gain, lose or share electrons so as to have eight electrons in their outer electron shell. This is because a full outershell with eight electrons is relatively stable. Atoms need to obtain an electron configuration like that of the nearest noble gas. Except for helium, noble gases have eight electrons in their valence sheels. The octet rule states that atoms tend to combine in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shells, giving them the same electronic configuration as its nearest noble gas.
1- Read the octet rule and answer the following questions: a- How many electrons make atoms be stable? b- Which atoms always have eight electrons in their outer shell? c- Do atoms want to become noble gas? d- What is a " valence shell"?