Atoms form bonds to achieve a more stable arrangement of electrons, typically resembling the full outer electron configuration of a noble gas. Bonding does not change the number of protons (atomic number) or make atoms radioactive.
Question 2 True / False
Noble gases are unreactive because they already have a stable electron arrangement.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: True
Noble gases (helium, neon, argon, etc.) have completely filled outer electron levels, which is an extremely stable configuration. Because they are already stable, they have little tendency to gain, lose, or share electrons — and therefore they rarely form bonds.
Question 3 Short Answer
What are the two main ways atoms can achieve a stable electron arrangement through bonding?
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: By transferring electrons from one atom to another, or by sharing electrons between atoms.
Transferring electrons leads to ionic bonds (one atom gives electrons, the other receives them). Sharing electrons leads to covalent bonds (both atoms hold onto the shared electrons). In both cases, the atoms end up with more stable electron arrangements than they had alone.