Question

Justify : "The outermost shell of an atom can­not have more than eight electrons, even if it has the capacity to accommodate more number of electrons".

Answer 1

Octet rule:

1. The octet rule states that atoms with 8 electrons in their outer shell are stable.
2. Thus, even if the shell has the capacity to hold more electrons, it does not have more than 8 electrons.
3. If the outermost shell holds up more than 8 electros, the atom becomes unstable.
4. Thus, in every atom, the outermost shell tends to have 8 electrons.

Thus, the rule responsible is the Octet rule.