Why do atoms combine to form compounds?
Because it would create stablity.
Thank you
Atoms combine to form compounds in order to achieve greater stability. Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The electrons are located in energy levels or shells surrounding the nucleus of the atom. These shells can hold a specific number of electrons, and atoms are most stable when their electron shells are either full or empty.
When atoms combine, they either transfer, share, or pool their electrons with other atoms. This helps to achieve a more stable electron configuration. By sharing or transferring electrons, atoms fill up their outermost energy levels, which gives them greater stability. This stable configuration is more energetically favorable for the atoms.
For example, consider the combination of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) atoms to form sodium chloride (NaCl) or table salt. Sodium has one electron in its outermost energy level, while chlorine has seven electrons in its outermost level. When sodium donates its electron to chlorine, both atoms achieve a stable electron configuration. Sodium now has an empty outermost level, which makes it more stable, and chlorine now has a full outermost level, also making it more stable.
In summary, atoms combine to form compounds to achieve greater stability by filling up or emptying their outermost energy levels. This stability leads to more favorable energy states for the atoms.