Question

Explain the observed pattern of how the sizes and charges of atoms change with the addition and subtraction of electrons.

A) Atoms become larger in size and more positively charged when electrons are added.

B) Atom sizes decrease and their charges become more negative as electrons are added.

C) With the addition of electrons, atoms generally become larger in size and more negatively charged.

D) Atom sizes remain constant, but charges become more positive as electrons are subtracted.

Answer 1

When an atom gains electrons, it increases in size and becomes more negatively charged, forming an anion; when it loses electrons, it decreases in size and becomes positively charged, forming a cation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pattern observed when an atom gains or loses electrons is related to its size and charge. When electrons are added to an atom, the atom generally becomes larger in size and more negatively charged, forming an anion. This increase in size is due to the larger electron cloud and increased electron-electron repulsion. On the other hand, when electrons are subtracted from an atom, it becomes smaller and more positively charged, forming a cation.

The decreased size results from a stronger pull by the protons in the nucleus on the remaining electrons after some have been lost. Based on these principles, the correct response to the given options is C) With the addition of electrons, atoms generally become larger in size and more negatively charged.