Abegg rule

Ab·egg rule

(ab'eg), the tendency of the sum of the maximum positive and negative valences of a particular element to equal 8; for example, C may have a valence of +4 and -4, O of +6 and -2. Sometimes loosely stated as all atoms have the same number of valences, a consequence of the tendency of valence electron shells to be filled to 8. [Richard Abegg]

Ab·egg rule

(ah'beg rūl) The tendency of the sum of the maximum positive and maximum negative valences of a particular element to equal 8 (e.g., C may have a valence of +4 and -4, O of +6 and -2). [Richard Abegg]

Abegg,

Richard, Danish chemist, 1869-1910. Abegg rule - the tendency of the sum of the maximum positive and negative valence of an element to equal 8.