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Every chemist knows what the octet rule is. In this practical tip, we explain to you what the so-called eight-electron rule is all about.
What exactly the octet rule is
As the name suggests, the rule is about electrons. Why exactly eight electrons is for the following reason:
- The rule concerns the so-called main group elements of the periodic table, except helium and hydrogen.
- These elements, for example carbon or oxygen, strive for the configuration of the noble gas neon and thus try to ensure that the number of outer electrons is eight.
- Atoms consist of protons and electrons. The electrons are located in orbits around the nucleus of the atom. The outermost orbit of the main group elements is completely filled when there are eight electrons in it, these are also called valence electrons.
- This is called the noble gas configuration and is sought after because it is energetically stable and chemical reactions often proceed to maintain or form this configuration.
