Importance Of Octet Rule

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An octet rule is a chemical rule that indicates that the atoms of the main group elements have a tendency to combine in a manner that makes every atom to possess eight electrons in its valence shell. This combination gives atom to have an electronic configuration which is the same as the electronic configuration of noble gasses. The octet rule applies to oxygen, nitrogen, halogen gas and carbon. Besides, it is appropriate for metals like magnesium and sodium (Califano, 2012). 2
Aufbau rule asserts that theoretically, electrons that orbit more or one atom often fill the lowest available energy levels before filling the higher energy levels, for instance, if the available energy levels are 1s and 2s, 1s orbital will be filled first before filling …show more content…

Atom is referred to as the smallest and unnoticeable unit of matter. However, ions are atoms in which the number of protons and electrons are not the same. Therefore, ions can either be negatively and positively charged. Atom is made up of neutrons, protons, and electrons. The neutrons and protons make the nucleus of an atom while the electrons surround atom’s nucleus. Atom is electrically neutral because the number of electrons and protons are the same. Neutral Magnesium (Mg) is an atom, and it has 12 electrons and 12 electrons giving it a mass number of 24g/mole. Magnesium easily loses two electrons in its valence shell to be positively charged (cation), the number of protons are greater than the number of electrons in this case. Neutral oxygen (O) with eight electrons and eight protons is an atom. Oxygen atom easily acquire two extra electrons to make it valance shell complete and to become negatively charged; in this case, the number of electrons is more than the number of protons hence it is known anion (Smirnov, 2003). When an atom loses the electrons in their valence shell to become a cation, its atomic radius is always larger than it ionic radius. When an atom attracts electrons to its valence shell to become anion its atomic radius and ionic radius are the same (Housecroft, and Sharpe

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