The Octet Rule

The octet rule states that atoms tend to prefer having eight electrons in their outermost energy level, or shell, because this configuration provides stability. Atoms will gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve this arrangement, similar to the electron setup of noble gases, which are naturally stable. This rule helps explain why atoms form chemical bonds—either sharing electrons in covalent bonds or transferring them in ionic bonds—to reach a full outer shell. It’s a guiding principle for understanding how elements combine to form different substances.