When main group elements react, they tend to acquire eight outer$-$shell electrons $($ns$2$np$6$

$).$ This is called an octet, and it is a particularly stable configuration.

Group Valence To attain octet

$1$ ns$1$

lose one electron

$2$ ns$2$

lose two electrons

$13$ ns$2$np$1$

lose three electrons

$15$ ns$2$np$3$

gain three electrons

$16$ ns$2$np$4$

gain two electrons

$17$ ns$2$np$5$

gain one electron

$18$ ns$2$np$6$

rarely gain or lose electrons

Nonmetals in the third period and beyond can break the octet rule because they have vacant d orbitals that allow them to accommodate more than eight outer$-$shell electrons.If the following elements were involved in redox reactions, which noble$-$gas configuration would they most likely attain?

Drag the appropriate elements to their respective bins.Li Na F P Sc As Y