Senior High School

General Chemistry 1
Module 9:
The Octet Rule in the Formation of
Molecular Covalent Compounds

AIRs - LM

LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

STEM - GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1
Quarter 2 - Module 9: The Octet Rule in the Formation of Molecular Covalent Compounds
Second Edition, 2021
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 Senior High School

General Chemistry 1
Module 9:
The Octet Rule in the Formation of
Molecular Covalent Compounds
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions,
directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand
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check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust
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In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
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Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any
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And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

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Thank you.
 Target

The octet rule dictates that atoms are most stable when their valence shells
are filled with eight electrons. It is based on the observation that the atoms of the
main group elements tend to participate in chemical bonding in such a way that
each atom of the resulting molecule has eight electrons in the valence shell. The
octet rule is only applicable to the main group elements.

The molecules of the halogens, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon are known to
obey the octet rule. In general, the elements that obey this rule include the s-block
elements and the p-block elements (except for hydrogen, helium, and lithium).In
your previous lesson, you are done with the drawing of Lewis Structure of the Ions.

These modules will provide you with information and activities that will help
you understand the Octet Rule in the formation of molecular covalent compounds.

Most Essential Learning Competency

After going through this module, you are expected to:
A. apply the Octet Rule in the formation of molecular covalent compounds
(STEM_GC11CBIId-g-76); and
B. write the formula of molecular compounds formed by the nonmetallic
elements of the representative block (STEM_GC11CBIId-g-77).

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the module, you are expected to:
A. define octet rule; and
B. identify molecular covalent compounds.

Before you begin, answer the pretest on the next page.

1 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

 Lesson
The Octet Rule
1

Jumpstart

Activity 1: Pre-Test
Direction: Write the CAPITAL letter of the correct answer on a separate paper.

1. What dictates the stability of the atoms during chemical bonding?

A. Magnetic property of the atom B. Electronic Configuration
C. Lewis Dot Structure D. Octet Rule
2. What is valence electron? It is the _____.
A. atomic number
B. electrons in the first level
C. electrons in the second energy level
D. electrons in the outermost energy level
3. Which of the following bonds of elements follows the octet rule?
A. H-H B. H-F C. Cl-Cl D. H-Cl
4. In the Lewis structure for the OF2 molecule, the number of lone pairs of
electrons around the central oxygen atom is _____.
A. 0 B. 1 C. 2 D. 3
5. Which one of the following VIOLATES the octet rule?
A. PCl3 B. CBr4 C. OF2 D. AsF5
6. In the ground state, which of the following has a completely filled valence
electrons?
A. potassium B. radon C. radium D. sulfur
7. How many electrons does Nitrogen need to gain in order to have an octet?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
8. According to the octet rule, atoms of element react with each other in order to
attain _____ in their outermost energy level. Which among the numbers below
COMPLETES the sentence?
A. 5 B. 6 C. 7 D. 8
9. Who formulated the Octet Rule?
A. Richard Abegg B. Isaac Newton
C. Gilbert N. Lewis D. Dmitri Mendeleev
10. How many electrons are needed by phosphorus, 15P, in order to complete the
Octet Rule?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5

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11. Which of the following statements about bonding is TRUE?
A. A covalent bond is the same as ionic bond.
B. The Octet rule only applies to molecules with covalent bonds.
C. A molecule is polar if the shared electrons are equally shared.
D. A molecule is nonpolar if the shared electrons are equally shared.
12. What type of bond is formed when atoms tend to share their electrons with one
another to satisfy the Octet rule?
A. covalent B. ionic C. both D. none of these
13. Which of the following statements about Octet Rule is TRUE?
A. Atoms with six valence electrons are most stable.
B. It is a formal measure of how favorable a chemical bond is between atoms.
C. Atoms follow the octet rule because they always seek the most stable
electron configuration.
D. An atom is “incomplete” when its valence shell has eight electrons;
"complete" atoms share electrons and in so doing end up with full
valence shells.
14. What type of diagram is used in order to illustrate the octet rule?
A. pie graph B. histogram
C. Venn diagram D. Lewis electron dot diagram
15. Determine the Lewis structure of Oxygen gas.
A. B.

C. D.

3 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

 Discover

The Octet Rule states that atoms tend to form compounds in ways that give
them eight electrons and thus the electron configuration of a noble gas.
Atoms of metals tend to lose all of their valence electrons, which leaves with
an octet from the next lowest principal energy level. Atoms of nonmetals, on the
other hand, tend to gain electrons to to attain the electron configuration of the
nearest noble gas. In this way, atoms become stable.

Why Elements Follow the Octet Rule

Atoms follow the octet rule because they always seek the most stable
electron configuration. Following the octet rule results in completely filled s- and
p- orbitals in an atom's outermost energy level. Low atomic weight elements (the
first 20 elements) are most likely to adhere to the octet rule.
A Lewis electron dot diagram may be drawn to illustrate the octet rule. In
such a structure, electrons shared in a covalent bond between two atoms are
counted .

Examples:

1. Single Covalent Bonds

The shared pairs of electrons are

bonding pairs.
The unshared pairs of electrons are
lone pairs or nonbonding pairs.

2. Double and Triple Covalent Bonds

Some atoms can satisfy the octet rule

by sharing two pairs of electrons to
form a double bond.
Double bonds are shorter and stronger
than single.

Limitations Of Octet Rule :

(1) Hydrogen with 1 electron attains stability by sharing, gaining or losing 1 valence
electron. It does not need to complete octet to attain stability. Also, He has only 2
electrons and is stable.

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(2) Incomplete octet: In certain molecules such as BeH2, BeCl2, BH3, BF3, the
central atom has less than 8 electrons in its valence shell, yet the molecule is stable.

(3) Expanded octet: In certain molecules such as PF5, SF6, IF7, H2​ SO4, the
central atom has more than 8 valence electrons, yet the molecule is stable.

Explore

Enrichment Activity No. 1: Use separate sheet of paper for your answer.
A. Draw the Lewis Dot Structure of the following molecules.
1. H2S
2. SO3
3. CH2Br2
4. HCN
5. NaCl
B. Identify what kind of bond present in the following molecules.
1. CH4
2. O2
3. N2
4. CO2
5. Cl2

5 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

 Deepen

Give your brief explanation on the following questions. Use a separate sheet of
paper for your answer. Use the rubrics below for your possible score.

5 4 3 2
Distinguished Proficient Basic Unsatisfactory
Shows a thorough Show a complete Shows partial Shows serious
understanding of and correct mastery of misconceptions or
the concept or understanding of prerequisite lack of
material and the concept or the knowledge and a understanding of
extends the ability to perform rudimentary or the concept or an
understanding the skill as incomplete inability to
beyond the articulated. understanding of perform the skill.
requirements (e.g., the concept or a
relating rudimentary
concepts/materials ability to perform
to other the skill as
concepts/materials, articulated.
offering new ideas,
by a deep and
nuanced analysis,
or by
demonstrating a
level of skill beyond
expectations for
proficiency)

1. What is an octet rule?

2. How does the octet rule influence bonding?

3. Why is the octet rule important in chemical bonding?

6 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

 Gauge

Direction: Write the CAPITAL letter of the best answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. What dictates the stability of the atoms during chemical bonding?

A. Electronic Configuration B. Lewis Dot Structure
C. Magnetic property of the atom D. Octet Rule
2. What is valence electron?
A. The atomic number
B. Electrons in the first level
C. Electrons in the second energy level
D. Electrons in the outermost energy level
3. Which of the following bonds of elements follows the octet rule?
A. H-H B. Cl-Cl C. H-F D. H-Cl
4. In the Lewis structure for the OF2 molecule, the number of lone pairs of
electrons around the central oxygen atom is _____.
A. 0 B. 1 C. 2 D. 3
5. Which one of the following violates the octet rule?
A. PCl3 B. CBr4 C. OF2 D. AsF5
6. In the ground state, which of the following has a completely filled valence
electrons?
A. potassium B. radon C. radium D. sulfur
7. How many electrons does Nitrogen need to gain in order to have an octet?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
8. According to the octet rule, atoms of element react with each other in order to
attain ___ in their outermost energy level. Which among the numbers below
COMPLETES the sentence?
A. 5 B. 6 C. 7 D. 8
9. Who formulated the Octet Rule?
A. Richard Abegg B. Isaac Newton
C. Gilbert N. Lewis D. Dmitri Mendeleev
10. How many electrons needed by Phosphorus in order to complete the Octet Rule?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
11. Which of the following statements about chemical bonding is TRUE?
A. A covalent bond is the same as ionic bond.
B. The Octet rule only applies to molecules with covalent bonds.
C. A molecule is polar if the shared electrons are equally shared.
D. A molecule is nonpolar if the shared electrons are equally shared.
12. When atoms tend to share their electrons with one another to satisfy the Octet
rule, the type of bond formed is ________________.
A. covalent B. ionic C. both D. none of these

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13. Which of the following statements about Octet Rule is TRUE?
A. The octet rule states that atoms with six valence electrons are most
stable.
B. An atom is “incomplete” when its valence shell has eight electrons;
"complete" atoms share electrons and in so doing end up with full
valence shells.
C. The octet rule is a formal measure of how favorable a chemical bond is
between atoms.
D. Atoms follow the octet rule because they always seek the most stable
electron configuration.
14. What type of diagram is use in order to illustrate the Octet Rule?
A. histogram B. Lewis electron dot diagram
C. pie graph D. Venn diagram
15. In a chemical bonding, what is called as the unshared electrons?
A. alone pair B. lone pair
C. bonding pair D. metal pair

8 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

Jumpstart
Lesson
The Octet Rule
2

Jumpstart
A. Write the formulas for the following covalent compounds:
1) disulfur tetrafluoride _________________________
2) carbon trioxide _________________________
3) nitrogen pentoxide _________________________
4) nitrogen tribromide _________________________
5) dinitrogen heptachloride _________________________
6) carbon tetrachloride _________________________
7) hydrogen monochloride _________________________
8) trihydrogen monophosphide _________________________
9) dihydrogen monoxide _________________________
10)nitrogen monoxide __________________________

B. Write the name of the following covalent compounds.

1. N2O __________________________
2. S2Cl2 _________________________________________

3. Cl2O7 _________________________________________

4. NH3 _________________________________________

5. CH4 ________________________________________

6. H2O ________________________________________

7. H2O2 ________________________________________

8. NH4 ________________________________________

9. C8H18 ________________________________________

10.CO2 ________________________________________

9 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

 Discover

Chemical Nomenclature

The primary function of chemical nomenclature is to ensure that a

spoken or written chemical name leaves no ambiguity concerning to what chemical
compound the name refers. Each chemical name should refer to a single substance.
Today, scientists often refer to chemicals by their common names: for example,
water is not often called dihydrogen oxide. However, it is important to be able to
recognize and name all chemicals in a standardized way. The most widely accepted
format for nomenclature has been established by IUPAC.

Molecular compounds are made when two or more elements share

electrons in a covalent bond to connect the elements. Typically, non-metals tend to
share electrons, make covalent bonds, and thus, form molecular compounds.

Rules for Naming Molecular Compounds:

1. Remove the ending of the second element, and add “ide” just like in ionic
compounds.
2. When naming molecular compounds prefixes are used to dictate the number
of a given element present in the compound.

1 mono
2 di
3 tri
4 tetra
5 penta
6 hexa
7 hepta
8 octo
9 nona
10 deca

3. If there is only one of the first element, you can drop the prefix. For example,
CO is carbon monoxide, not monocarbon monoxide.
4. The a or o at the end of a prefix is usually dropped from the name when the
name of the element begins with a vowel. As an example, four oxygen atoms,
is tetroxide instead of tetraoxide.

Examples of Molecular Compound Names:

 SO2 is called sulfur dioxide

 SiI4 is called silicon tetraiodide
 SF6 is called sulfur hexafluoride
 CS2 is called carbon disulfide

Generally, the less-electronegative element is written first in the formula, though

there are a few exceptions. Carbon is always first in a formula and hydrogen is after

10 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

nitrogen in a formula such as NH3. The order of common nonmetals in binary
compound formulas is C, P, N, H, S, I, Br, Cl, O, and F.

Lesson Summary
 Molecular compounds exist as a collection of individual molecules.
 The formula of a binary molecular compound shows how many of each atom
are present in the molecule. The less electronegative element is generally
written first.
 Prefixes are used in the names of molecular compounds to designate how
many of each atom are in the molecule.

Explore

Enrichment Activity No. 2:

A: Fill in the table to indicate the number of atoms of each type in the molecular
formula. Use separate sheet of paper for your answers

Number of Number of
Molecular Formula atoms in the atoms in the Name of compound
first element second element
Ex: ClF 1 1 Chlorine monofluoride
ClF5
CO
CO2
Cl2O
PCl5
N2O5

B: Examine the molecular formulas given in the above table for various molecular
compounds.
1. How many different elements are present in each compound shown?
2. Do the compounds combine metals with metals, metals with nonmetals,
or nonmetals with nonmetals?
3. Based on your answer in number 2, what type of bonding must be
involved in molecular compounds
C. Give the formula of the following molecular compound.
1. boron trichloride
2. sulfur hexafluoride
3. iodine heptafluoride
4. nitrogen triiodide
5. dinitrogen tetroxide

11 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

 6. dichlorine monoxide
7. tetraphosphorus decoxide
8. pentaboron nonahydride
9. tribromine octoxide
10. chlorine monofluoride
D. What suffix (ending) do all the compound names in activity C have in common?

E. Carefully examine the name of the compounds in activity C, when is a prefix

NOT used in front of the name of an element?

F. Consider the compound NO, which element would require a prefix in the
molecule name? Explain your answer.

Deepen

There are several compounds we all use in our daily life, which have become
an essential part of our growth and survival. We encounter these compounds in our
daily life; in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe.
Below are examples of molecular compounds research their uses in our
everyday lives

Molecular Compounds Uses in our everyday lives

1. NH3

2. CH4

3. NO2

4. PCl5
5. CO2

12 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

 Gauge

A: Direction: Write the letter of the best answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. What type of elements typically form binary molecular compounds?

A. alkaline earth metals B. metalloids
C. metals D. nonmetals
2. What determines the order of the elements in the formula of a molecular compound?
A. less electronegative element B. less electropositive element
C. more electronegative element D. more electropositive element
3. Which statement is NOT TRUE on the rules for using the prefix system of
nomenclature of binary molecular compounds?
A. The order in which common nonmetals are written in binary compound
formulas is the same as their order in the following series: P, N, H, S, I, Br,
Cl, O, F, C.
B. The first element in the formula is written first in the name of the compound,
along with the appropriate prefix.
C. The a or o at the end of a prefix is usually dropped from the name when the
name of the element begins with a vowel.
D. The second element is named after the first, but the ending of the element’s
name is changed to –ide.
4. The most widely accepted format for nomenclature has been established by
IUPAC. IUPAC means _________________________.
A. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
B. International Unison of Pure and Applied Chemistry
C. Interagency Union of Pure and Applied Bio Chemistry
D. International Union of Pharmaceutical and Applied Chemistry
5. What determines the number of atoms in a molecular compound?
A. number of electrons B. prefix
C. number of elements D. suffix

B: Write the chemical name of the following molecular compounds

1. PBr3
2. SCl4
3. N2F2
4. SO3
5. BrF

C: Write the chemical formula of the following molecular compounds.

1. Disulfur decafluoride
2. Carbon tetrachloride
3. Oxygen difluoride
4. Dinitrogen trioxide
5. Tetraphosphorus heptasulfide

13 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

References
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "The Octet Rule Explanation in Chemistry."
ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/octet-rule-explanation-in-
chemistry-606457.

Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Octet Rule Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo,

Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-octet-rule-604588.

https://byjus.com/chemistry/octet-rule-and-stability-of-atom/

https://wou.edu/chemistry/courses/online-chemistry-textbooks/ch150-
preparatory-chemistry/ch150-chapter-4-covalent-bonds-molecular-
compounds/

https://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/fyp/mcquest/ch7.html

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Tex
tbook_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/El
ectronic_Structure_of_Atoms_and_Molecules/Electronic_Configurations/The_
Octet_Rule

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Introductory_Chemistry_Online/Chemical_Bonding_
and_Nomenclature%23.C2.A0.C2.A03.11_Nomenclature_of_Molecular_Compo
unds

14 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

Answer Key

15 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9

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16 LU_General Chemistry 1_Module9