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In terms of atomic orbitals, "octet" is a term used designate a filled outer
valence shell not necessarily (but usually) "eight" electrons.  For elements
on the top row of the periodic table (H, He)the electrons all have the same
two first quantum numbers meaning electrons in the row fill the same
degenerate (x2) spherical atomic orbital (1s orbital). For every other row
of the table (and the lanthanides and actinides for more subtle reasons),
the ground valence state of the terminal element (the noble gases)is
charecterized by filled s and p orbitals.  Since there is one s orbital and
three p orbitals and the electron wavefunction degeneracy is two this means
eight electrons which is where the term octet comes from.  However, it is
used to designate a filled valency in general.



you really really should have known...


I don't know how you get out of bed every morning not knowing this.



>If He has an atomic number of 2 (which it does), it therefore has two
>protons in it's nucleus.  in order to be an uncharged atom (which it is), it
>must therefore have 2 electrons orbiting the nucleus.  How then can it have
>a stable octet of electrons?
>
>So what did it look like up your lab partners skirt?
>
>Ben
>
>J. Devin MacKenzie wrote:
>
>> If any of you had ever looked up from trying to
>> see up your lab partners skirt during chemistry
>> class, you might have learned that He is a noble
>> gas and is monatomic except under extreme
>> conditions (ie the surface of the sun, etc.).
>> In fact its noble gas attributes, namely a filled
>> outer octet of electrons is exaclty why it is so
>> unreactive, does not covalently bond to itself
>> or other atoms, and is so useful as an inert,
>> non-narcotic substitute for nitrogen.
>>
>> you really should have known
>>
>> -Devin
>>
>> rockets are for engineers, leave science to
>> scientists
>> --
>> Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
>> Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
>
>
>
>
>

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