Question

Why does chlorine gain an electron to become a chloride ion? group of answer choices

a. adding an electron completely fills the s and p orbitals of enerrgy level 3.
b. less shielding means there is room for another electron.
c. two of these.
d. atoms become stable when they achieve a full octet.

Answer 1

Chlorine gains an electron to form a chloride ion in order to fulfill the octet rule by completing its valence shell, consequently achieving a stable electron configuration. D is thge correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chlorine gains an electron to become a chloride ion primarily to achieve a stable electron configuration by completing its valence shell, which is energetically favorable.

A neutral chlorine atom has seven electrons in its outermost shell and needs only one more electron to achieve an octet, following the octet rule. When chlorine gains an electron, it becomes an anion with a -1 charge, now called a chloride ion.

In this case, the correct option from the provided choices is (d) atoms become stable when they achieve a full octet, which directly relates to chlorine's desire to fill its outermost shell and achieve stability.