Why do atoms exchange or share electrons during bonding
Atoms exchange or share electrons during bonding in order to achieve a more stable electron configuration. Atoms have different numbers of electrons in their outermost energy level, known as the valence shell. The valence electrons are involved in forming bonds.
During bonding, atoms can gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full valence shell. This is known as the octet rule, which states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons until they have 8 electrons in their valence shell, which is the same electron configuration as the nearest noble gas.
By exchanging or sharing electrons, atoms can achieve a more stable configuration by filling their valence shells. For example, in ionic bonding, one atom gains electrons to achieve a full valence shell (becoming an anion), while another atom loses electrons to achieve a full valence shell (becoming a cation). In covalent bonding, atoms share electrons in order to fill their valence shells and achieve stability.
Overall, atoms exchange or share electrons during bonding to reach a more stable electron configuration and lower their overall energy.