- Atoms are the smallest particles that can exist in nature.
- But they cannot exist independently
- To attain stability they combine and form chemical bonds with other atoms to form molecules or compounds.
- We know that noble gases are stable due to their electronic configuration.
- They have a completely filled outermost shell (Octet rule - 8 electrons in the outermost shell)
- This makes them unreactive as they are stable and can exist independently.
- Example - Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, Radon
- So other atoms try to attain the electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas so that they can attain stability as well.
- In this process they either give, take or share electrons with other atoms to form chemical bonds and combine .
- They can combine with similar atoms or different atoms