CLASS :- 11
Topic :- Why do atoms combine ?
Why do atoms combine ?
Atoms combine and form Molecules
mainly for two reasons;
Firstly, The atoms of the element have incomplete Octet in their respected outer shell.
Secondly, they want to gain Stable electronic configuration , minimum energy and Maximum stability
Let us quickly understand what this is all about.
(1)Tendency to acquire noble gas configuration or octet rule
Atoms of noble gases or inert gases are stableStable in nature because They have 8 electronsIndia respected outer cell other than noble gas atoms of the element as First group to 17 group element have 1 to7 electron in their respected outer cell obtained incomplete Consequently, the atoms of such elements show a great tendency to combine with other atoms of the same or different elements to form compounds and attain stability. The Main purpose is To gain the nearest noble gas ElectronicConfiguration
The noble gases Atom of Helium, Argon, Krypton, Neon, Radon and Xenon are stable in nature , basically due to their stable electronic configurations. These elements are non-reactive or they do not show any chemical reactivity.
All the elements except helium mostly have eight electrons in their outermost shells but Helium has 1s2 electronic configuration because the outer shell of helium first has only two electrons in S Orbit. As for Helium, it holds or has two electrons in its first shell (orbit) which is closest to the nucleus. When two electrons are present in the first shell it is known as duplet configuration, whereas when eight electrons are present in the outermost (valence) shell it is termed as an octet configuration.
(2) Tendency to acquire minimum energy and maximum stability
The isolated atom of the element have potential energy when it is enter into chemical combination process it is release energy and form molecules low potential energy and get maximum stability