Would you expect each of the following atoms to gain or lose electrons when forming ions? What ion is the most likely in each case?

Would you expect each of the following atoms to gain or lose electrons when forming ions? What ion is the most likely in each case?

a. Ra

b. In

c. P

Solution: All elements on the periodic table want to have the same electron configuration as that of noble gases (Group 18). Metals tend to lose electrons to gain that configuration and nonmetals gain electrons to achieve it. Group 1 metals want to lose 1 electron and become +1 cations. Group 2 metals want to lose 2 electrons and become +2 cations. Group 17 nonmetals want to gain 1 electron and become -1 anions. Group 16 nonmetals want to gain 2 electrons and become -2 anions. Group 15 nonmetals want to gain 3 electrons and become -3 anions.

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