Question

Is this atom more likely to gain electrons or to lose electrons? Explain how you can tell

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16P
16 N
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Please help

Answer 1

Likely to gain electrons

Step-by-step explanation:

The atom shown is likely to gain additional electrons to complete its electronic configuration.

• Since this is a neutral specie, the number of protons and electrons are the same.
• The atom has 16 electrons
• the number of valence electrons is 6
• If the atom gains two additional electrons, the octet configuration is attained
• Also, the atom can lose 6 electrons to become an octet

The atom will prefer to gain additional 2 electrons to give an octet configuration.