Question

multiple - choice question
select the atom which does not require 8 electrons in its outermost shell in order to be happy.
chlorine
oxygen
potassium
helium
rewatch

Explanation:

The octet rule states that atoms are stable when their outermost shell has 8 electrons (except for the first shell which is stable with 2 electrons). Chlorine has 7 valence electrons and needs 1 more to complete the octet. Oxygen has 6 valence electrons and needs 2 more. Potassium has 1 valence electron and needs to lose it (but in terms of filling the outer shell conceptually, it's not a full octet). Helium has 2 electrons in its only shell (the first shell) and is already stable as the first shell's maximum is 2 electrons.

Answer:

Helium