The ions of most main-group elements have the same number of ________ as the noble gas that is closest to them in the periodic table.

Question

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The number of electrons in the outermost (valence) shell determines the chemical behavior of an element. Noble gases have full valence shells and are therefore chemically stable. Main-group elements can achieve a full valence shell by either gaining or losing electrons. The ions of most main-group elements have the same number of electrons as the closest noble gas in order to achieve a stable electron configuration, which is known as the octet rule.

The Ions of Most Main-Group Elements Have the Same Number