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Which of the following elements is most likely to form a negative ion (anion)?
Calcium (Ca)
Aluminium (Al)
Chlorine (Cl)
Sodium (Na)
Chlorine (Cl)
Elements that form negative ions (anions) are non-metals that readily gain electrons to achieve a stable, noble gas electron configuration. Among the given options, Chlorine is a halogen with high electronegativity, making it the most likely to gain an electron.
Elements that form negative ions (anions) are non-metals that readily gain electrons to achieve a stable, noble gas electron configuration. Among the given options, Chlorine is a halogen with high electronegativity, making it the most likely to gain an electron.
Think of non-metals like Chlorine as a hungry person who only needs one more 'bite' (electron) to feel perfectly full (stable octet), whereas metals are like people with extra 'food' (electrons) they are happy to give away to feel lighter.
OIL RIG (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain of electrons; atoms that gain electrons are reduced to become anions).
Cl+eтИТтЖТClтИТ тАФ The reduction half-reaction showing the formation of a chloride anion.
According to the octet rule, atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to have eight electrons in their outermost shell. Metals like Calcium (Group 2), Aluminum (Group 13), and Sodium (Group 1) have low ionization energies and prefer to lose electrons to form positive ions (cations). Non-metals like Chlorine (Group 17) have high electron affinity and gain one electron to complete their octet, forming a chloride ion (ClтИТ).
Anions are negatively charged ions formed by gaining electrons.
Non-metals generally have higher electronegativity than metals.
Halogens (Group 17) are the most reactive non-metals for anion formation.
Formation of stable ionic compounds like Na┬аCl.
Non-metals are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity compared to metals.
Formation of salts (e.g., Table salt Na┬аCl).
Water purification using chlorine compounds.
Calcium (Ca2+) and Aluminum (Al3+) are metals and form cations.
Sodium (Na+) is an alkali metal and forms a cation.
Chlorine is a non-metal located in Group 17 of the periodic table.
C is correct тАФ Chlorine is a non-metal with high electronegativity, allowing it to gain an electron to form a stable ClтИТ anion.
Remember that metallic character increases down a group and decreases across a period, while non-metallic character follows the inverse trend; always look for the element furthest to the right and top of the p-block to identify the most likely anion former.
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