Question

How many valence electrons do most stable atoms have

4
8
2
1

Answer 1

Most stable atoms typically have **8** valence electrons. This is known as the octet rule, which states that atoms tend to be more stable when they have eight electrons in their outermost shell. Noble gases, for example, have complete valence shells and are generally inert due to this stability. Some elements, like hydrogen and helium, are stable with 2 valence electrons, but in general, 8 is the most common characteristic for stability in larger atoms.