Question

Hi:) I really need help with this, I’m so confused! :/

Metals tend to lose electrons to achieve a stable noble gas electronic configuration.
Do metals lose electrons to other metals
OR
Do metals lose electrons to non metals

Non-metals tend to gain electrons to achieve a stable noble gas electronic configuration
Do non metals gain electrons from other non- metals
OR
Do non-metals gain electrons from metals?

Answer 1

Hi, I believe this should belong in the chemistry section. But nevertheless, here is the solution,

To achieve a noble gas electronic configuration, the overall charge has to be 0 as noble suggest stable.

For such configuration to happen, in your syllabus, when the question mentions LOSING / GAINING electrons, it is referring to ionic bonding.

For ionic bonding to occur, metal atom must be bonded to a non-metal atom.

A metallic ion like sodium ion is always +1 charge

A non-metallic ion like chlorine ion is always -1 charge.

So for a stable Sodium Chloride/NaCl to achieve a noble(stable) state, an electron will be lost chlorine ion where this electron will be gained by sodium ion.

When chlorine ion (-1 charge) loses an electron, it becomes 0 charge, which is stable.

When sodium ion(+1 charge) gains an electron, it becomes 0 charge which is stable.

And hence both are stable and formed the stable noble compound called NaCl.