How does oxygen obey the octet rule when reacting to form compounds?

A) It gains electrons.

B) It gives up electrons.

C) It does not change its number of electrons.

D) Oxygen does not obey the octet rule.

Answer: Option (A) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

According to the octet rule, every atom has the tendency to completely fill its octet and for that it needs to occupy eight electrons in its valence shell.

For example, atomic number of oxygen atom is 8 and its electronic distribution is 2, 6.

And in order to completely fill its valence shell and attain stability an oxygen atom needs to gain two electrons from another atom.

Thus, we can conclude that oxygen obey the octet rule when reacting to form compounds as it gains electrons.

a) it gains electrons