To achieve an octet in the valence energy level, a hydrogen atom will gain seven electrons. true or false.

I believe the answer is false. Hydrogen is in the S=1 energy level with helium which means that the only valence orbital hydrogen has is the 1s orbital. s orbitals only have 2 electrons in them meaning that in order for hydrogen to achieve a full valence energy level it would only need to gain 1 electron. Also if the question is asking how many electrons it would take for hydrogen atom to get an octet (eventhough it would never try to) it would still be false since it would need to fill the 2s and 2p orbitals after filling the 1s orbital. Hydrogen would need to gain 1 electron to fill the 1s orbital, 2 electrons to fill the 2s orbital, and 6 electrons to fill the 2p orbital which adds up to 9.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions or if anything is unclear.