Which of the following statements best describes the significance of an atom's valence shell?

A. The valence shell holds more neutrons than the nucleus.
B. The valence shell helps to determine the atom's atomic mass.
C. When the valence shell is full of electrons, the atom is stable.
D. Most atoms will give up or gain electrons in order to have 6 electrons in their valence shells.



Answer :

Final answer:

The valence shell of an atom plays a vital role in determining its stability and reactivity by striving to be full, following the octet rule. Valence electrons significantly impact an element's chemical behavior and bonding tendencies.


Explanation:

The significance of an atom's valence shell lies in its role in determining the atom's stability and reactivity. The valence shell, the outermost electron shell of an atom, influences chemical behavior by striving to be full. When the valence shell is full, the atom is stable and less likely to react with other atoms, while an incomplete valence shell leads to reactivity.

For most atoms, having six or eight electrons in their valence shells is crucial for stability, following the octet rule. Atoms may bond by sharing, accepting, or donating electrons to achieve a full valence shell and satisfy the octet rule, contributing to the predictability of their chemical interactions.

Valence electrons are key determinants of an element's chemical properties, and elements with similar numbers of valence electrons often exhibit analogous behaviors due to their valence shell configurations.


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