Question

What action would you expect an atom of Aluminum to undergo?

A. Lose 5 electrons to have a full outer shell.
B.An atom of aluminum would not gain or lose electrons because of its outer shell configuration.
C.Lose 3 electrons to have a full outer shell.
D.Gain 5 electrons to have a full outer shell.

Answer 1

C. Lose three electrons to have a full outer shell

Step-by-step explanation:

Al is in Group 13 of the Periodic Table, so it has three valence electrons.

It must either lose three electrons or gain five to achieve a stable octet.

It is easier to lose three electrons than it is to gain five, so Al loses three electrons.

D. is wrong, for the same reason.

A. is wrong. If Al lost three electrons, it would be breaking into a stable inner shell.

C. is wrong. Al is a metal, so it will lose electrons in a reaction.