The Lewis Octet Rule

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The Lewis Octet Rule is a simple model for explaining how certain compounds (ionic or covalent) form. Essentially, atoms tend to form compounds in order to fill their valence shell. That means that they tend to form compounds so that they end up with 8 electrons in their outer shell. This is based on the understanding that the electronic structure of a noble gas is the most stable electronic structure, and atoms tend to form compounds in order to obtain an electronic structure resembling the noble gas in its ...