What makes an atom stable? How do atoms become stable? What are two ways that atoms can become stable? Give or take valence electrons, becoming ions. Share valence electrons with a... What makes an atom stable? How do atoms become stable? What are two ways that atoms can become stable? Give or take valence electrons, becoming ions. Share valence electrons with another atom. What happens to an atom’s electron configuration when it becomes stable? What are cations and anions? What types of elements become each of these? What charge does an atom get when it becomes an ion? What holds ions in an ionic bond together? What are properties of ionic compounds? What is coordination number? What is the formula unit? Why do we reduce the chemical formula of ionic compounds to the smallest whole number? Describe a metallic bond. What unique properties do metals have? How does the structure of the metallic bond give metals their unique properties? What are alloys and why are they often desirable? What are covalent bonds and between what elements will they form? Why should I be able to draw structural formulas? What are exceptions to the octet rule? What types of covalent bonds are there? What is bond energy? What is VSEPR theory? What about bond polarity? What is the difference between molecular polarity and intermolecular forces? What are the properties of ionic and covalent compounds?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the concepts of atomic stability, how atoms interact to achieve stability through various types of bonds (ionic, metallic, covalent), and the properties of the compounds formed. It also touches on the structure of molecules, bond polarity, intermolecular forces, and the characteristics of ionic and covalent compounds.
Answer
Atoms become stable by gaining, losing, or sharing electrons to satisfy the octet rule. Cations (positive) and anions (negative) are held by electrostatic forces in ionic bonds. Coordination number and formula units describe ionic crystals. Metallic bonds offer conductivity, while covalent bonds form between nonmetals.
An atom becomes stable by fulfilling the octet rule, which often involves gaining, losing, or sharing electrons to fill its valence shell. In ionic bonds, cations and anions form and are held together by electrostatic forces. Ionic compounds have properties like high melting points. Cations have a positive charge and are formed by metals; anions have a negative charge and are formed by nonmetals. The coordination number is the number of oppositely charged ions surrounding an ion in a crystal. A formula unit is the smallest ratio of ions in an ionic compound. Metallic bonds involve the sharing of free electrons among a lattice of metal atoms, giving metals properties like conductivity and malleability. Covalent bonds form between nonmetals and involve shared electrons, with exceptions like electron-deficient or expanded octet molecules. Bond energy measures the strength of a bond. VSEPR theory helps predict molecular shapes. Bond polarity involves unequal electron sharing, affecting molecular polarity, which differs from intermolecular forces. Ionic compounds are generally stronger and have higher melting points than covalent compounds.
Answer for screen readers
An atom becomes stable by fulfilling the octet rule, which often involves gaining, losing, or sharing electrons to fill its valence shell. In ionic bonds, cations and anions form and are held together by electrostatic forces. Ionic compounds have properties like high melting points. Cations have a positive charge and are formed by metals; anions have a negative charge and are formed by nonmetals. The coordination number is the number of oppositely charged ions surrounding an ion in a crystal. A formula unit is the smallest ratio of ions in an ionic compound. Metallic bonds involve the sharing of free electrons among a lattice of metal atoms, giving metals properties like conductivity and malleability. Covalent bonds form between nonmetals and involve shared electrons, with exceptions like electron-deficient or expanded octet molecules. Bond energy measures the strength of a bond. VSEPR theory helps predict molecular shapes. Bond polarity involves unequal electron sharing, affecting molecular polarity, which differs from intermolecular forces. Ionic compounds are generally stronger and have higher melting points than covalent compounds.
More Information
Atoms strive for stability by achieving a full valence shell configuration, often adhering to the octet rule. Ionic bonds result in structured compounds with distinct properties, while metallic and covalent bonds offer unique electron sharing and conductance characteristics.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the process of becoming stable with being inert; even stable ions can react under certain conditions. Remember, stability refers to minimal energy configuration.
Sources
- Chemical Bonds | Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
- Ionic Compounds | Exploring Our Fluid Earth - manoa.hawaii.edu
- The Octet Rule | Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
