Question

Most representative metal atoms tend to gain enough electrons to attain a stable noble gas (octet) configuration.

True or False

Answer 1

False

Step-by-step explanation:

Non- metals tend to gain electrons easily, metals tend to lose electrons easily

For example, oxygen, a non-gas, when it is an ion, has the option to lose 6 electrons to become like helium, or gain 2 electrons to become like the noble gas neon. However, it becomes like neon for 2 reasons.

A. As a general rule, atoms lose/gain the LEAST amount of electrons.

B. Oxygen is a nonmetal, therefore, to become like a Noble Gas, it would gain, as non-metals usually would, 2 electrons.