Question

In an example of a chemical reaction atoms of one element each lose an electron átomos of another element each gain an electron what could be the two elements

Answer 1

In a chemical reaction where atoms of one element lose electrons and atoms of another element gain electrons, you are typically describing a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction. One common example involves metals and nonmetals.

1. **Element that loses electrons (oxidation)**: A metal such as sodium (Na) often loses one electron to form a cation (Na⁺).

\[
\text{Na} \rightarrow \text{Na}^+ + e^-
\]

2. **Element that gains electrons (reduction)**: A nonmetal like chlorine (Cl) can gain an electron to form an anion (Cl⁻).

\[
\text{Cl} + e^- \rightarrow \text{Cl}^-
\]

In this example, sodium loses an electron and chlorine gains an electron, forming sodium chloride (NaCl) as product:

\[
\text{Na} + \text{Cl} \rightarrow \text{NaCl}
\]

This type of reaction is typical in ionic compound formation, where metals and nonmetals interact. Other examples could include magnesium (Mg) losing electrons and oxygen (O) gaining electrons to form magnesium oxide (MgO).