The Octet Rule

and
Lewis Dot
Structure
-In atoms involves the
possession of eight
electrons in the outermost
energy level or valence
electron
-All elements become stable
when they have 8 electrons
➢ refers to the tendency of
atoms to have 8 electrons
in the valence shell
➢ Gilbert Newton Lewis, an
American chemist in 1916
➢ Only s and p electron are
involved
➢ Each atom want 8
valence electron
(EXCEPTION: H and He
(2)
➢ Used to form a bond
to another atom
➢ (e¯) occupying the highest
energy level in an atom
➢ involved in chemical bonding
➢ largely responsible for atom’s
chemical behaviour
➢ Corresponds to the atom’s
group (vertical column) in the
periodic table of the elements.
➢ aka LEDS
➢ used to emphasize the
atom’s valence electrons
➢ in a shorthand method,
consists of a symbol of the
element surrounded by
dots
- The symbol represents the
nucleus of the atom while
the dots represent the
valence electrons of the
atom.
Unpaired valence e-
➢ Represent e- available for
bonding or for linking with
other elements

Element with the same # of

valence e- have the SAME LEDs
1. Write the chemical
symbol of the atom.
2. Determine the column or
group where the atom
belongs,
3. Determine the number of
valence electron.
3. Draw the dots that
corresponds to the
number of the atom’s
valence electron.