18. Why does the chloride ion have a -1 charge?

Question

a
Chlorine atoms lose an electron.
b
Chlorine atoms gain an electron.
c
Chlorine atoms have no electrons.
d
Chlorine atoms share electrons.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

b Chlorine atoms gain an electron.

Chlorine, as a halogen, tends to gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, resulting in the chloride ion (Cl⁻) which has a -1 charge.