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Octet configuration refers to how elements generally prefer to form bonds so as to attain an octet configuration, i.e. have 8 electrons in their valence shell.
For example, chlorine (Cl) is from Group VII and has 7 valence electrons. It will gain one electron (eg from sodium which loses one electron to form Na+) to form Cl-, which has 8 valence electrons and so fulfills the octet rule and is stable. The electronic configuration of sodium is 2.8.1 (if you're in secondary school), or 1s2,2s2,2p6,3s1 (more advanced). So by losing one electron to form Na+, sodium also attains octet configuration.
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Why is a filled valence shell often called an octet?
A filled valence shell often has 8 electrons, which is called an octet. This configuration is considered stable because it mimics the electron configuration of noble gases, which have full valence shells.
What is the importance of an atom having a noble gas configuration?
They are generally stable as they obey octet rule
Which element will have a noble gas configuration if it forms an ionic bond by accepting two electrons from a magnesium atom?
The element that will have a noble gas configuration by accepting two electrons from a magnesium atom is oxygen. By gaining two electrons, oxygen will achieve a stable octet configuration similar to that of a noble gas, fulfilling the octet rule.
Does selenium need to gain 2 electrons to for an octet?
Yes, selenium needs to gain 2 electrons to achieve an octet configuration because it has 6 valence electrons in its outer shell. By gaining 2 more electrons, selenium can reach a stable electron configuration with 8 electrons in its outermost shell.
What is the noble gas configuration of sodium?
The noble gas configuration of sodium is [Ne]3s^1. This means that it has the same electron configuration as neon except for one additional electron in the 3s orbital. Sodium typically loses this electron to achieve a stable octet configuration.
