What is the significance of the octet rule in chemistry?

What is the significance of the octet rule in chemistry?

The octet rule is crucial as it explains how atoms bond to achieve stability by having eight electrons in their outer shell.

Why do some elements not follow the octet rule?

Elements like hydrogen and helium are exceptions because they are stable with fewer than eight electrons due to their smaller size.

Can you give examples of elements that follow the octet rule?

Sure! Elements like carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen typically follow the octet rule by forming covalent bonds to achieve stability.

How does the octet rule relate to ionic bonding?

In ionic bonding, atoms transfer electrons to achieve a full outer shell, often resulting in one atom gaining and another losing electrons.

What are the limitations of the octet rule?

The octet rule doesn't account for all molecules, especially those with an odd number of electrons or expanded octets, like phosphorus.