The periodic table is arranged by various patterns. Describe the pattern regarding charges of ions formed across a row? In three to five sentences, explain your reasoning and provide specific examples.

Answer 1

In the periodic table, as you move across a row (or period) from left to right, the elements generally show an increasing trend in their ability to attract electrons due to increasing nuclear charge. Metals on the left side tend to lose electrons, forming positive ions with varying charges, such as sodium (Na) which forms a +1 ion and magnesium (Mg) which forms a +2 ion. As you move towards the right, nonmetals gain electrons to achieve a full outer shell, typically forming negative ions. For example, chlorine (Cl) gains one electron to form a -1 ion, while nitrogen (N) can gain three electrons to form a -3 ion. This pattern reflects the elements' positions relative to their valence electrons and their tendencies to achieve stable electron configurations.