How do two nonmetal atoms become more stable and form compounds? a sharing valence electrons b fusing nuclei C Nonmetal atoms do not make compounds with each other d permanently transferring electrons

## Step 1<br />The problem is asking about the process by which two nonmetal atoms become more stable and form compounds. Nonmetals are elements that typically have five to seven valence electrons in their outermost shell. They tend to gain, share, or lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, which is usually a full outer shell of eight electrons.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Option (a) "sharing valence electrons" refers to the process of covalent bonding. In covalent bonding, two nonmetal atoms share valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This sharing allows each atom to attain the electron configuration of a noble gas, leading to the formation of a stable compound.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option (b) "fusing nuclei" is a process related to nuclear reactions and is not relevant to the chemical bonding between nonmetal atoms in compound formation.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option (c) "Nonmetal atoms do not make compounds with each other" is incorrect. Nonmetal atoms frequently form compounds with each other through various types of chemical bonding, including covalent bonding.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option (d) "permanently transferring electrons" refers to ionic bonding, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another. This is more common in the bonding between metals and nonmetals, where the metal loses electrons and the nonmetal gains them.