What will atoms with fewer than 8 electrons in their outermost shell do to become stable?

Question

Johnston

Chemistry

3 January, 12:37

What will atoms with fewer than 8 electrons in their outermost shell do to become stable?

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Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Maci Flores · Answer 1

Answer: they will go get more from another shell

Danielle Mcintyre · Answer 2

When atoms have fewer than 8 electrons, they tend to react and form more stable compounds.

Atoms will react to get in the most stable state possible. A complete octet is very stable because all orbitals will be full. Atoms with greater stability have less energy, so a reaction that increases the stability of the atoms will release energy in the form of heat or light. Reactions that decrease stability must absorb energy, getting hotter.