Final answer:
Non-metals typically gain electrons to form anions, driven by their higher electronegativity, in contrast to metals, which lose electrons to form cations. This electron transfer helps atoms achieve a stable octet configuration in their valence shells, resulting in ionic compound formation between metals and non-metals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Non-metals tend to gain electrons when interacting with other atoms. This is due to their higher number of valence electrons compared to metals, which have fewer.
The higher electronegativity of non-metals drives them to gain electrons in order to achieve a more stable electron configuration.
When non-metals gain electrons, they form anions, which are ions with a negative charge.
The tendency of an atom to lose or gain electrons is influenced by its desire to reach a stable electron configuration, often represented by having eight valence electrons, a state known as the octet rule.
Atoms, such as non-metals with high electronegativity, gain electrons to complete their valence shell and become more stable.
This process results in the formation of ionic compounds when metals and non-metals react due to the substantial differences in their electronegativities.
The behavior of non-metals is contrasted with metals, which tend to lose electrons and form cations – positively charged ions.
The properties of metals and non-metals, including their tendencies to lose or gain electrons, are fundamental in predicting their chemical behavior and the types of bonding that will occur in compounds they form.