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Using what you know about The Periodic Table of Elements and atomic structure, which element would be the most stable? In other words, which element has it's valence shell full (using the octet rule)?

(2 points)
Responses

Boron (atomic number 5)
Boron (atomic number 5)

Sodium (atomic number 11)
Sodium (atomic number 11)

Carbon (atomic number 6)
Carbon (atomic number 6)

Neon (atomic number 10)

1 answer

The element that is most stable, with a full valence shell according to the octet rule, is Neon (atomic number 10). Neon is a noble gas, and noble gases have complete outer electron shells, making them very stable and unreactive.

Boron, sodium, and carbon do not have full valence shells:

  • Boron (5 electrons) has 3 valence electrons and can form 3 bonds.
  • Sodium (11 electrons) has 1 valence electron and tends to lose it to achieve stability.
  • Carbon (6 electrons) has 4 valence electrons and can form 4 bonds but is not complete.

Thus, Neon is the correct answer.