The periodic table is arranged by various patterns. Describe the pattern regarding charges of ions formed across a row? In three to five sentences, explain your reasoning and provide specific examples.(4 points)

Answer 1

In the periodic table, as you move across a row (or period) from left to right, the tendency for elements to lose or gain electrons and thus form ions follows a specific pattern related to their atomic number and electron configuration. Elements on the left side, such as alkali metals (e.g., sodium, Na, which typically forms a +1 ion) and alkaline earth metals (e.g., magnesium, Mg, which typically forms a +2 ion), tend to lose electrons and form positively charged cations. Conversely, elements on the right side, particularly the nonmetals like halogens (e.g., chlorine, Cl, which typically forms a -1 ion) and the chalcogens (e.g., oxygen, O, which typically forms a -2 ion), are more inclined to gain electrons and form negatively charged anions. This pattern arises because elements are striving to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to that of noble gases; the left side elements achieve this by losing electrons and the right side elements by gaining electrons.