While the maximum number of electrons required to fill the outermost shell of an atom varies depending on the size of the atom, almost all of the smaller atoms (atomic numbers 2-20) are considered stable, and thus nonreactive, when they contain ________ electron(s) in the outermost shell.

Question

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Almost all of the smaller atoms (atomic numbers 2-20) are considered stable and nonreactive when they contain 8 electrons in the outermost shell, which is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy that shell. This is known as the octet rule. Exceptions to the octet rule exist for elements such as hydrogen and helium.

While the Maximum Number of Electrons Required to Fill the Outermost