Question

Which of the following is true regarding ionic charge, metals, and nonmetals?

a) Metal and nonmetal ions have a negative charge.
b) Metal ions have a negative charge and nonmetal ions have a positive charge.
c) Metal ions have a positive charge and nonmetal ions have a negative charge.
d) Metal and nonmetals ions have a positive charge.

Answer 1

In chemistry, metals form positive ions (cations) and nonmetals form negative ions (anions).

Step-by-step explanation:

In chemistry, metals tend to form positive ions (cations) and nonmetals tend to form negative ions (anions). Metal ions have a positive charge because they lose electrons to achieve a complete valence shell, while nonmetal ions have a negative charge because they gain electrons to achieve stability.

For example, sodium is a metal that forms a 1+ ion (Na+), while chlorine is a nonmetal that forms a 1- ion (Cl-).

Therefore, the correct answer is: c) Metal ions have a positive charge and nonmetal ions have a negative charge.