Question

Which is more stable: neutral chlorine atoms or chlorine ions? Why?​

Answer 1

When we say "chlorine wants to gain one electron", we speak of the radical atom. Chlorine as a free radical, Cl⋅ , is the chlorine atom that we say has 7 valence electrons and wants its 8th to form an octet. So, Cl⋅ , chlorine radical, is less stable, and Cl− , chlorine ion, is more stable