Question

Why the electronic configuration of potassium is $2,8,8,1$ and not $2,8,9$?

Answer 1

Octet rule

• The octet rule refers to atoms' preference for having eight electrons in their valence shell.
• Atoms with fewer than eight electrons are more likely to react and produce more stable compounds.

Electronic configuration of potassium

• The octet rule states that the outermost shell may only hold a maximum of $8$ electrons.
• As a result, the electronic configuration of potassium is $2,8,8,1$ rather than $2,8,9$.