Question

When does an atom become stable?

Answer 1

So, my teacher said that atoms,elements, in order to be stable need 8 electrons in their outer shell. She said that because of the noble gases. But I read that in order for an atom to be stable they need their outer shell to be full. BUT then i also read that to be stable they need to have same number of electrons and same number of protons. Please help, I'm in middle school by the way

Answer 2

an atom becomes stable if and only if the valence shell(outermost shell) is with eight electrons. This is the octet rule of electrons.