Final answer:
Nonmetals in groups 5A, 6A, and 7A form negatively charged ions with charges of -3, -2, and -1, respectively, as they gain electrons to achieve noble gas electron configurations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nonmetals in groups 5A, 6A, and 7A on the periodic table tend to form ions with negative charges. Specifically, the nonmetals in Group 5A form ions with a charge of -3, in Group 6A they form ions with a charge of -2, and in Group 7A they form ions with a charge of -1. This pattern exists because these nonmetals gain electrons to achieve the electron configuration of the noble gases that follow them in the periodic table. For example, oxygen in Group 6A will gain two electrons and sulfur in the same group will also gain two electrons, resulting in both forming ions with a 2- charge.
Atoms such as nitrogen from Group 5A will gain three electrons, forming an anion with a charge of 3- known as a nitride ion, while atoms in Group 7A like chlorine will gain one electron to form chloride ions with a 1- charge. By gaining electrons, these nonmetals achieve a stable electron configuration resembling that of the noble gases, which is a key driving force for the formation of anions.