Chapter 7.1, Problem 4LC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:Atoms of which elements can gain electrons and atoms of which elements can lose electrons needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction:An atom can gain or lose electron/s to form an ion. Here, an atom gains or loses electron/s to attain noble gas configuration or to complete its octet. Atoms can lose electron/s to form positive charge ions or cations and they can gain electron/s to form negative charge ions or anions.

Non-metals tend to gain electrons while metals tend to lose electrons.

Answer to Problem 4LC

Non-metals tend to gain electrons while metals tend to lose electrons.

Explanation of Solution

A non-metal can gain electrons to form negative charge ions or anions. This is because non-metals are electron deficient and can gain electrons to complete an octet. Thus, atoms of non-metals tend to gain electrons. The number of electrons gained depends on their valance electrons. For example, non-metal from group 16 has 6 valance electrons and can gain 2 electrons to complete the octet.

Similarly, a metal can lose electron/s to form positive charge ions or cations. This is because metals areelectron-rich and can easily lose electrons from their valance shell to complete the octet. Thus, atoms of metals tend to lose electrons. The number of electrons lost depends on their valance electrons. For example, metals from group 1 have one valance electron and metals from group 2 have two valance electrons.