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I have never heard the term "octet" defined as such.  I know that was what you
meant, and of course I know that Helium had a filled outer valence shell.  I
just
thought that you were being so pompous that you deserved to be nitpicked.  If
"octet" is really used in this context (which I have never heard), than I admit
that you were absolutely and totally right.

J. Devin MacKenzie wrote:

> 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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