Question

Nonmetals tend to __ electrons and form __ ions.

Option 1: Gain, Negative
Option 2: Lose, Positive
Option 3: Share, Neutral
Option 4: Donate, Positive

Answer 1

Nonmetals typically gain electrons to form negative ions called anions to fulfill the octet rule and achieve stability akin to the next noble gas in the periodic table.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nonmetals tend to gain electrons and form negative ions. This is because nonmetals, especially those in groups 16 and 17 of the periodic table, have more valence electrons and tend to achieve stability by gaining electrons to achieve the same electron configuration as the next noble gas in the periodic table. Consequently, nonmetals form negatively charged ions, which are called anions. Atoms that form anions gain a number of electrons that allows them to have eight valence electrons, fulfilling the octet rule. Unlike metals, which tend to lose electrons and form positively charged ions known as cations, nonmetals gain electrons to become more stable, due to their higher electronegativities.