Question

Why do elements form compounds? What elements never form compounds and why?

Answer 1

Answer:

Elements form compounds to satisfy the octet rule. Noble gasses never form compounds because they already satisfy the octet rule.

Explanation:

The octet Rule is the theory that an element will attempt to gain a valence of 8 by binding with another element in it's vicinity. This can happen in a variety of ways, but the main thing to remember is that they will take the "shortest path" to 8(I.e an element will sometimes lose an electron or 2 if it has a valence 1 or 2 to loop back around to 8, while an element with a valence of 6 or 7 will attempt to gain 2 or 1 electrons).

Valence of elements can be counted by group in the image attached.

Group 1 has a valence of 1, Group 2 has a valence of 2, then we move to group 13 which has a valence of 3, group 14 has a valence of 4, group 15 has a valence of 5, group 16 has 6, group 17 has 7, and group 18 is the noble gasses which have 8.