Chemical Bonds

Science — First Preparatory

Why do atoms combine?

Atoms tend to reach a stable electron arrangement, in which the outer level is full with eight electrons (or two in the case of hydrogen and helium).
An atom achieves this by losing electrons, gaining electrons, or sharing electrons with other atoms.
This is known as the octet rule.

Atoms with few electrons in the outer level, usually metals, tend to lose electrons and form positive ions.
Atoms with many electrons in the outer level, usually non-metals, tend to gain electrons and form negative ions, or to share electrons.

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