What do atoms "desire" to achieve through the formation of chemical bonds?

Atoms "desire" to achieve a full valence shell through the formation of chemical bonds because this configuration results in greater stability. Atoms are most stable when their outermost electron shell is filled, following the octet rule, which states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to have eight electrons in their valence shell. This stability drives the formation of ionic and covalent bonds as atoms interact to reach that optimal electron arrangement.

When atoms have incomplete valence shells, they tend to be more reactive, seeking to either lose or gain electrons to complete their outer shell. For example, sodium readily loses one electron to achieve a stable configuration similar to that of noble gases, while chlorine gains an electron to attain the same stability. This drive for a full valence shell is a fundamental principle in understanding chemical bonding and molecular formation.