* Lone atoms are unstable: Individual iodine atoms have an unpaired electron in their outermost shell. This makes them highly reactive and unstable.
* Sharing electrons creates stability: When two iodine atoms bond, they share their unpaired electrons, forming a covalent bond. This pairing of electrons fills the outermost shell of each atom, creating a more stable electron configuration.
* Lower energy state: The formation of the I₂ molecule releases energy, indicating that the molecule is in a lower energy state than the individual atoms. Lower energy states are more stable.
In essence, the iodine atoms become more stable by sharing electrons and achieving a lower energy state through the formation of the I₂ molecule.
