Question

What is the octet rule of sulfur?

Answer 1

The octet rule is the understanding that most atoms seek to gain stability in their outer most energy level by filling the s and p orbitals of the highest energy level with eight electrons.

Sulfur has an electron configuration of `1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3P^4` this means that oxygen has six valence electrons `3s^2 3p^4`. Sulfur seeks out two additional electrons to fill the p orbital and gain the stability of a noble gas, `1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6`.

However, now Sulfur has 18 electrons and only 16 protons making it a -2 charge anion `S^(-2)`.

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER