Question

What is False about ion formation? select all that apply

a
Anions and cations are the same size as the parent atom
b
Non-metal atoms form cations by losing electrons to obtain the electron configuration as the noble gas after them
c
Metal atoms form cations by losing electrons to obtain the electron configuration as the noble gas before them
d
Group 4A elements can either lose or gain 4 electrons to obtain a full set of valence electrons when they become ions

Answer 1

False statements: a, b, and d.

- a is false: cations are smaller than the parent atom; anions are larger.
- b is false: nonmetals typically gain electrons to form anions (not lose electrons to form cations) to reach the noble-gas configuration after them.
- d is false (practically): although losing or gaining 4 electrons would give a noble-gas configuration in principle, group 4A elements rarely form ±4 ions (they usually form covalent bonds; gaining 4 electrons is especially unfavorable; heavier members more commonly lose electrons in lower positive states).

c is true: metals generally lose electrons to form cations and attain the electron configuration of the preceding noble gas.