Question

How many electrons does potassium, shown above, need to gain or lose to become stable?

Group of answer choices

gain 2

gain 1

lose 1

lose 2

Answer 1

It would tend to lose two electrons and form a +2 ion. Potassium is in the first column and therefore has 1 electron in its outermost shell. It would tend to lose one electron and form a +1 ion.