ellipsis31 t1_j99vxte wrote
Reply to comment by ArcadeAndrew115 in ELI5: How do we know for certain that atoms can't have more than 8 maximum outermost electrons when atoms form chemical bonds? Is there any research being done to see why atoms prefer the octet rule? by ArcadeAndrew115
There are always exceptions. For every rule there is some weird circumstance or extreme condition that breaks it. Our rules are constructed out of convenience because they fit basic circumstances and help us to learn.
When teaching chemistry we tend to teach a bunch of rules and then later teach the exceptions, because it's easier to understand the exceptions after you have the necessary base of knowledge.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments