The product of a chemical reaction where all the atoms have a stable configuration is typically a molecule that follows the octet rule, meaning that each atom (especially main-group elements) has eight electrons in its valence shell, achieving a noble gas electron configuration.
Some examples of stable molecules are:
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Noble Gas Molecules: Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar) – these gases are already stable because they have complete valence shells.
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Diatomic Molecules:
- H₂ (Hydrogen): Each hydrogen atom has 2 electrons, which is stable for hydrogen.
- O₂ (Oxygen): Each oxygen atom shares electrons to complete its octet (2-6-8 configuration).
- N₂ (Nitrogen): The two nitrogen atoms share three pairs of electrons, each achieving a stable octet.
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Molecules with Covalent Bonds:
- H₂O (Water): Oxygen has two lone pairs and shares electrons with two hydrogen atoms.
- CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide): Carbon shares double bonds with two oxygen atoms.
- CH₄ (Methane): Carbon shares electrons with four hydrogen atoms.
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Ionic Compounds:
- NaCl (Sodium Chloride): Sodium donates an electron to chlorine, achieving stable electron configurations (Na⁺ and Cl⁻).
In general, any of the above-listed molecules would be considered stable products of a reaction where all atoms achieve stable electron configurations.