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What happens when a Chlorine atom gains an electron its outer energy shell

User JoshuaCS
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Answer:

It becomes an ion, specifically an ANION.

Step-by-step explanation:

A stable Chlorine atom would be neutral, or it would have no charge. This means that there is an equal number of electrons and protons (17 to be specific).

When a stable atoms gains or loses an electron, it's charge will not be neutral anymore because there would either be more electrons, than protons; or more protons than electrons.

In the case of your problem, there would be more electrons, so when electrons outnumber the protons, then the atom becomes negatively charged. A negatively charged ion is called an ANION.

Neutral ANION

Cl → Cl⁻

User LynchburgExplorer
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