Which statement describes why atoms form bonds in terms of electron pairing in outer shells?

Which statement describes why atoms form bonds in terms of electron pairing in outer shells?

• A. They bond to increase the overall charge of the atom.
• B. They bond to remove unpaired electrons from the outer shell.
• C. They bond only to create ionic bonds.
• D. They bond to pair unpaired electrons in the outer shell and stabilize the atom.

Answer: (D)

Atoms bond because they want a full outer shell and lower energy. In many elements the valence shell has unpaired electrons, and bonding lets these unpaired electrons pair up with electrons from another atom. When electrons are paired in the outer shell, the arrangement becomes more stable, so bonding is driven by achieving that paired, stable state. This pairing view applies broadly to bonding, not just to one type of bond, and it isn’t about merely increasing charge or removing unpaired electrons without sharing or transferring electrons.

Atoms bond because they want a full outer shell and lower energy. In many elements the valence shell has unpaired electrons, and bonding lets these unpaired electrons pair up with electrons from another atom. When electrons are paired in the outer shell, the arrangement becomes more stable, so bonding is driven by achieving that paired, stable state. This pairing view applies broadly to bonding, not just to one type of bond, and it isn’t about merely increasing charge or removing unpaired electrons without sharing or transferring electrons.