Final answer:
Elements on the right side of the periodic table, particularly in groups 15-17, gain electrons to form anions with negative charges (1- for group 17, 2- for group 16, etc.), achieving stable arrangements similar to noble gases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elements on the right side of the periodic table, such as those in groups 15 to 17, tend to gain electrons to form anions. These nonmetal elements achieve the same electron configuration as the noble gases, which makes them stable. For instance, group 17 elements, which are one group away from the noble gases, will typically gain one electron to form anions with a 1- charge. Similarly, group 16 elements gain two electrons to form 2- charged ions. It is important to understand the periodic table's arrangement, where main-group elements on the left (groups 1, 2, and 13), which are metals, lose electrons to form cations. Conversely, those on the right (groups 15-17), which are nonmetals, gain electrons to form anions with a stability akin to the nearby noble gases. The periodic table thus provides a valuable guide to predict likely ion formation and charge among elements.