Chemical Bonds

     In the formation of a compound, atoms or ions combine to form molecules or groups of ions. The forces of attraction that hold these particles together are called chemical bonds. The bonding process involves the sharing and giving or transferring of valence electrons.
     Why do atoms or ions bond? Atoms and ions tends to assume a stable condition. And in these process, stability is achieved when the electronic configurations become similar to that of a noble gas. This means having eight electrons in the outermost shells of their atoms.
     During compound formation, the tendency of an atom to share or transfer valence electrons is called the octet rule. Octa is a Greek prefix meaning "eight". The octet rule can thus be called the rule of eight.