Question

12) An anion always

A) has a positive charge.
B) contains a group of two or more atoms with a positive charge.
C) contains a metal and a nonmetal.
D) forms covalent bonds.
E) has a negative charge.

Answer 1

An anion always has a negative charge, formed when nonmetal atoms gain electrons and paired with cations to create ionic compounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

An anion always has a negative charge. This is because anions are formed when nonmetal atoms gain electrons until they have the same number of electrons as in the next noble gas in the periodic table, typically achieving a stable octet. Anions, which can be either monatomic or polyatomic, are attracted to the anode (the positive electrode) in an electrical field.

When nonmetals in groups 16 and 17 of the periodic table react, they tend to gain one or two electrons respectively, forming anions with a -2 or -1 charge. The elements in Group 15 can gain three electrons to form ions with a -3 charge. These negatively charged ions are essential in the formation of ionic compounds, where they are paired with positively charged ions called cations.

Furthermore, the naming convention for anions derived from elements ends with -ide, such as chloride for the chlorine anion.