Consider these atoms.

Question

Which atom (Ba or I) would accept electrons from the other atom to satisfy the octet rule?

On left, a central purple circle labeled Ba has 6 concentric rings around it. Starting with the innermost ring, the rings have 2, 8, 18, 18, 8, and 2 small green spheres on them, respectively. On right, a central purple circle labeled I has I concentric rings around it. Starting with the innermost ring, the rings have 2, 8, 18, 18, and 7 small green spheres on them, respectively.

Answer 1

To determine which atom (Barium, Ba, or Iodine, I) would accept electrons from the other atom to satisfy the octet rule, we first need to understand the electron configurations of these atoms.

1. Barium (Ba):

   • According to the description, Ba has 6 concentric rings around it:
     • 1st ring: 2 electrons
     • 2nd ring: 8 electrons
     • 3rd ring: 18 electrons
     • 4th ring: 18 electrons
     • 5th ring: 8 electrons
     • 6th ring: 2 electrons
   • Total: 2 + 8 + 18 + 18 + 8 + 2 = 56 electrons (Barium has atomic number 56).
   • Barium is an alkaline earth metal and has 2 electrons in its outermost shell (6th ring). It tends to lose these 2 electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.

2. Iodine (I):

   • According to the description, I has 5 concentric rings around it:
     • 1st ring: 2 electrons
     • 2nd ring: 8 electrons
     • 3rd ring: 18 electrons
     • 4th ring: 18 electrons
     • 5th ring: 7 electrons
   • Total: 2 + 8 + 18 + 18 + 7 = 53 electrons (Iodine has atomic number 53).
   • Iodine is a halogen and has 7 electrons in its outermost shell (5th ring). It tends to gain 1 electron to achieve a full octet (8 electrons) in its outer shell.

Conclusion:

• Barium (Ba) would lose 2 electrons to become a Ba²⁺ ion, while Iodine (I) would gain 1 electron to become an I⁻ ion.
• Therefore, Iodine (I) would accept electrons from Barium (Ba) to satisfy the octet rule.

Thus, the answer is Iodine (I) would accept electrons from Barium (Ba).