Why do atoms combine?

Answer 1

It is all about energy. Just like rocks rolling downhill, atoms like to be in the lowest energy state. That is achieved by forming optimal electron orbit counts or octets. If joining two atoms results in a lower overall energy position that the two seperate, they want to combine.

Answer 2

They "need" each other and have the opportunity (wink). The noble gasses (whether light or heavy) have exactly enough electrons to fill their orbits and have none to loan and need none to borrow. They are inert and do not combine with each other or with other atoms. All other atoms are incomplete. Because they must have as many negative electrons orbiting them as they have positive protons in their nuclei, they have outer orbits that can hold a few more electrons or have a few extra electrons to share. Atoms combine into molecules because sharing their electrons is more efficient. The combination sometimes gives off excess energy as when carbon burns in oxygen to form CO2 (exothermic reaction) and plants need energy (sunlight) to combine CO2 and water, etc. to make sugar (endothermic reaction). Hope that helps a little.

Answer 3

all atoms like to have octate configuration in their outer orbits
so if an atom has less electrons it tends to combine with atoms with more electrons so that both have octate configuration(8 electrons)

Answer 4

to attain stability lower their potential energy

Answer 5

They are attracted to each other, for they like each other a lot.

Answer 6

because it's more effient for them energetically

Answer 7

because if they didn't then you wouldn't be here ansking this question and i wouldn't be here answering it.