How Are Ions Formed from Atoms?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the formation of ions from atoms, exploring the processes involved in ionic bonding and the resulting charge changes. Participants seek clarification on the concepts and examples related to ions, particularly in the context of atomic structure and periodic table trends.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes ions as formed when an atom gains or loses an electron, resulting in a positive or negative charge.
  • Another participant provides a specific example of sodium (Na) losing an electron to become Na+.
  • A participant questions the electron and proton count for chlorine (Cl-), suggesting that it gains an electron to achieve a stable configuration.
  • It is noted that understanding the periodic table's group charges can aid in determining the ionic states of elements.
  • One participant mentions that atoms tend to achieve electron configurations similar to the nearest noble gas for stability, using chlorine as an example of gaining an electron to become a chloride ion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of understandings regarding ion formation, with some agreeing on the principles of electron gain and loss, while others seek clarification and examples. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple viewpoints on how to approach the topic.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the details of ionic bonding and the relationship between atomic structure and ion formation. There is also a reliance on periodic table trends that may not be fully explained in the discussion.

Chemistry101
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1. How are ions formed from atoms?

Attempt at Solution: From reading books and browsing on the internet I've collected a good amount of information, but I don't completely understand them.

"An ion is formed when an atom gains or loses an electron in bonding with another atom, causing the atom to become a positive or negative ion. Since electrons are negative, if an atom loses an electron, there are more protons (which are positive) than electrons, which causes the atom to become a positive ion (sometimes called a cation.) If an atom gains an electron it becomes a negative ion (or anion.) Ions are most commonly formed when two elements undergo ionic bonding, in which the elements 'give and take' electrons to gain full outer shells."

Can someone interpret that into a simpler format or give an example of an equation to demonstrate.

Thanks.
 
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when Na loses an electron,e, it becomes Na+

Eq'n: Na - e-->Na+
 
So Na has 11 protons and 11 electrons. If my teacher gave me a problem like,

Cl-, then the answer would be 17 protons and 18 electrons right cause you add one more?
So I have to know the charges of the groups of the periodic table to figure it out right?
 
Chemistry101 said:
So Na has 11 protons and 11 electrons. If my teacher gave me a problem like,

Cl-, then the answer would be 17 protons and 18 electrons right cause you add one more?
So I have to know the charges of the groups of the periodic table to figure it out right?

Well you usually you are given a periodic table. But you should learn how the table is put together, for example, all the elements in group 7, in ionic form have a -1 charge [halid ions].
 
The basic principle is that most (but not all) atoms will strive to have the same number of electrons as the nearest noble gas. Chlorine gains one electron to become the negatively charged chloride ion because gaining an electron gives it the same number of electrons as argon.

Having the same number of electrons as a noble gas (or more importantly, the same electron configuration) makes the atom much more stable.
 

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