Question

The octet rule states that, in chemical compounds, atoms tend to have ____. the electron configuration of a noble gas more protons than electrons eight electrons in their principal energy level more electrons than protons

Answer 1

The octet rule is a chemical rule of thumb that reflects observation that atoms of main group elements tend to combine in such a way that each atom has eight electrons in its valence shell, giving it the same electron configuration as a noble gas. The rule is especially applicable to carbon , nitrogen , oxygen , and the halogens, but also to metals such as sodium or magnesium.