Atoms of oxygen have a total of 8 electrons. are these atoms stable, and why or why not? view available hint(s) atoms of oxygen have a total of 8 electrons. are these atoms stable, and why or why not? yes, because oxygen is in the air we breathe and it doesn't hurt us. no, because only atoms with 2 valence electrons are stable. no, because the atoms have only 6 valence electrons, but need 8 for stability. yes, because the octet rule says stable atoms have 8 electrons.