Question

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How is the octet rule important in describing covalent bonding?

Answer 1

OCTET RULE

The atoms that participate in covalent bonding by share unpaired electrons in a way that enables them to acquire a stable complely filled orbital electronic configuration, or full valence shell. This means that they want to acquire the electronic configuration of the noble gas of their row. Obviously the name of this rule is a misnomer. Helium, the noble gas of the first row, has only two electrons. Hydrogen, the only element in the first row besides Helium, fulfills the

“octet rule” by sharing two electrons from each hydrogen atom to form hydrogen gas molecule.

The octet rule is important in covalent bonding because sharing electrons gives both atoms a full valence shell.

All atoms strive to achieve a full valence shell, just like the noble gases. This is the most stable electron arrangement.

If atoms can’t achieve a full outer shell by transferring electrons, they resort to sharing. In this way, each atom can count the shared electrons as part of its own valence shell. This sharing of electrons is covalent bonding.

Completely filled molecule are more stable than the partially filled molecular orbital. Partially filled molecule easily undergoing chemical reaction than completely filled orbital therefore covalent bonding is created a completely filled molecular orbital therefore covalent bonding is more important.