Atoms that have an outer shell containing 8 electrons are considered chemically stable.

具有包含 8 個電子的外殼的原子被認為化學性質穩定。

We often say they fulfill what is called the octet rule. When atoms combine to form compounds, they can give up, accept, or share electrons in order to assemble an octet of electrons in their outer shells.

我們常說它們符合所謂的八電子規則。當原子結合形成化合物時，它們可以放棄、接受或共享電子，以便在它們的外殼中聚集八電子。

A covalent bond is formed when atoms share electrons in order to satisfy the octet rule.

當原子共享電子以滿足八分之一規則時，就形成了共價鍵。

For example, a carbon atom holds 4 electrons in its outer shell, but it would be much more stable with 8.

例如，碳原子的外層有 4 個電子，但如果有 8 個電子就會更加穩定。

To gain the additional 4 electrons, carbon can share with other atoms and thereby have a completed outer shell. If 1 carbon and 4 hydrogen atoms come together and share their electrons, carbon achieves an octet of electrons.

為了獲得額外的 4 個電子，碳可以與其他原子共享，從而擁有一個完整的外殼。如果 1 個碳原子和 4 個氫原子聚集在一起共享電子，碳就獲得了八電子。

Note that each hydrogen in this compound achieves 2 electrons in its outer shell.

請注意，該化合物中的每個氫的外層都有 2 個電子。

This is the stable configuration of the first electron shell. An ionic bond forms when two atoms are held together by the attraction between opposite charges.

這是第一電子層的穩定構型。當兩個原子通過相反電荷之間的吸引力結合在一起時，就形成了離子鍵。

The reaction between sodium and chlorine atoms is an example of how an ionic bond is formed.

鈉原子和氯原子之間的反應就是離子鍵形成的一個例子。

Since sodium has only 1 electron in its third shell, it has a tendency to give up that electron.

由於鈉的第三層外殼中只有一個電子，是以它有放棄該電子的趨勢。

Once it does, the remaining outer shell contains 8 electrons.

一旦這樣做，剩下的外殼就包含 8 個電子。

This loss of an electron gives sodium a slightly positive charge. Chlorine, on the other hand, tends to gain an electron, since its outer shell already has 7.

失去一個電子後，鈉就會帶上輕微的正電荷。另一方面，氯傾向於獲得一個電子，因為它的外殼已經有 7 個電子。

When chlorine gains an electron, it becomes slightly negative.

當氯獲得一個電子時，它就會變成輕微的負極。

The charged sodium and chlorine atoms are called ions.

帶電的鈉原子和氯原子稱為離子。

Ions of opposite charge attract each other and form ionic bonds. In this case, the attraction of sodium and chlorine forms a molecule called sodium chloride, or table salt.

帶相反電荷的離子相互吸引，形成離子鍵。在這種情況下，鈉和氯的吸引力會形成一種叫做氯化鈉或食鹽的分子。