In an example of a chemical reaction, atoms of one element each lose an electron. Atoms of another element each gain an electron. What could be the two elements? (1 point)

Question

a. two alkaline earth metals
b. an alkali metal and a halogen
c. a halogen and a noble gas
d. two halogens

Answer 1

The correct answer is b. an alkali metal and a halogen.

In this type of chemical reaction, alkali metals (which have one electron in their outermost shell) tend to lose that electron and become positively charged ions (cations), while halogens (which have seven electrons in their outermost shell) tend to gain an electron to complete their outer shell and become negatively charged ions (anions). This results in the formation of ionic compounds.