Asked by jordan

Some atoms are exceptions to the octet rule by having an expanded octet. Which characteristic is needed for an atom to have an expanded octet?
The atom has empty d-orbitals.
The atom has more than eight valence electrons before bonding.
The atom has empty p-orbitals.
The atom has fewer than eight valence electrons after bonding.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
The atom has empty d-orbitals.

Explanation: Atoms in period 3 or beyond (e.g., P, S, Cl) can use available d orbitals to accommodate more than eight electrons and form expanded octets. (Note: advanced treatments sometimes describe hypervalence without invoking d‑orbitals explicitly, but the standard conceptual requirement taught is accessible d orbitals.)