Which of the following explains why atoms become more stable when they form bonds?

a) The electrons in the bonds fill the atoms’ outer shells.

b) The electrons in the bonds slow, which brings the bond energy down.

c) The electrons are shared, which makes the atoms bigger.

d) The atoms lose negative charges, which brings the atoms’ energies up.

Question

Which of the following explains why atoms become more stable when they form bonds?

a) The electrons in the bonds fill the atoms’ outer shells.

b) The electrons in the bonds slow, which brings the bond energy down.

c) The electrons are shared, which makes the atoms bigger.

d) The atoms lose negative charges, which brings the atoms’ energies up.

aaronq · Answer

a) The electrons in the bonds fill the atoms’ outer shells.

Atoms seek to achieve a stable electronic configuration; this means filling all the available spots for electrons to occupy.