Final answer:
The Octet Rule states that the outermost shell of an element can hold eight electrons, aiming for a stable electron configuration similar to noble gases.
Main group elements particularly adhere to this rule to form covalent bonds, while exceptions like hydrogen and transition metals exist.
The Octet Rule states that the outermost shell of an element can hold: b) Eight electrons
Step-by-step explanation:
The Octet Rule states that the outermost shell of an element can hold eight electrons, which corresponds to option b) Eight electrons. According to the octet rule, atoms fill their inner electron shells first, with the innermost shell having a maximum of two electrons.
However, for the shells beyond the first one, atoms strive for an electron configuration that results in eight electrons in their valence shell, the outermost electron shell.
This rule is mainly applicable to the main group elements and dictates their chemical behavior and bonding patterns. Atoms tend to donate, accept, or share electrons to achieve this stable configuration, reflective of the noble gases.
Atoms of some elements such as carbon or oxygen follow this rule closely, forming covalent bonds to achieve a stable octet.
For example, carbon, which has four valence electrons, can form four covalent bonds to satisfy the octet rule, as seen in compounds like carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and silane (SiH4).
Nonetheless, it's important to note that there are exceptions to the octet rule, including hydrogen and the transition metals, which have different valence shell capacities or bonding capabilities.