Octet Rule Study Guide

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever wondered how chemical reactions occur? How does the bonding between two atoms become strong? Or what is the mechanism behind covalent bonding? All the question has one answer, the atoms want to stabilize their structure; hence, they follow the octet rule. Now, what is the octet rule in chemistry? Let's find out the meaning of the octet rule together!

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OCTET RULE CHEMISTRY DEFINITION

Every atom wants to attain stability by either losing its lone electron or gaining a new electron to attain the configuration of the nearest noble gas. This phenomenon is known as the octet rule.

Noble gases do not like to share their electrons as they are chemically inert. They have attained the octet rule and are hence stable. The molecules like halogens, oxygen, etc., attain the octet rule. Besides, the s-block elements, as well as p-block elements that follow the octet rule, will obey to reach the stability of their atoms.

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EXCEPTION OF THE OCTET RULE

Not every element follows the octet rule; there are some exceptions to this rule. They are as follows:

• An atom, ion, or molecule with an unpaired valence electron known as a free radical does not follow this rule. Although, these elements or atoms or ions are very unstable and break down easily.
• Some elements like helium, lithium, and hydrogen obey the duet rule as the first shells only contain 2 atoms. Hence, if they achieve 2 atoms in their valence shell, they are stable.
• The transition elements do not obey the octet rule as they have a d-orbital present. The valence shells can hold 18 electrons.
• The aromatic compounds follow Heckle’s Law due to their delocalization of pi-electrons. They do not follow the octet rule.

FAQs

1. What is the simple definition of the octet rule?

The octet rule states that atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve an outer shell electron structure nearest that of a noble gas. The attractive force between atoms is informally calculated with this rule.

2. What is the octet rule, and what is its importance?

The octet rule is a rule which states the behavior of an atom to attain stability. The atoms try to gain or lose electrons to attain an outer shell electron configuration nearest that of a noble gas.

The octet rule is crucial in covalent bonding simply because both atoms get a full valence shell due to the sharing electrons. All atoms seek to reach a full valence shell, like those present in noble gases. Wondering why? This is considered the most stable electron structure.

3. What is the octet rule?

The octet rule states that atoms are most stable when their valence shells are loaded with eight electrons. The atoms want to have an outer shell configuration of noble gas so that they can attain stability.

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SOURCES:

1. The Octet Rule: https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Electronic_Structure_of_Atoms_and_Molecules/Electronic_Configurations/The_Octet_Rule. Accessed 7th March 2022.
2. The Octet Rule: https://www.ck12.org/c/chemistry/octet-rule/lecture/The-Octet-Rule:-Help-Definition-and-Exceptions/.Accessed 7th March 2022.