Question

Why does neon gas consist of individual, unbonded neon atoms while chlorine exists as diatomic chlorine molecules?

Answer 1

Neon gas consist of individual, unbonded neon atoms due to the stable (octet) configuration, while chlorine exists as diatomic chlorine molecules to gain stability.

How we define the stability of atoms?

Stability of any atom will be defined on the basis of the electronic configuration or the number of valence shell electrons they have.

• Chlorine atom have seven electrons on the outermost shell of the atom and will able to gain 1 electron to get octet configuration, that's why present in the diatomic form.
• Neon is a noble gas as they have stable configuration due to presence of 8 electrons in the valence shell, and due to stability it will not easily react with any other gas and present in single atomic form.

Hence due to stable configuration of neon it is present in the unbonded form.

To know more about octet configuration, visit the below link:

brainly.com/question/15076797

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