In the periodic table, the charges of ions formed by elements across a row (or period) generally follow predictable patterns based on the number of valence electrons. Elements on the left side, such as alkali metals (e.g., sodium, Na) and alkaline earth metals (e.g., magnesium, Mg), tend to lose one or two electrons, forming ions with positive charges of +1 and +2, respectively. As one moves toward the right side of the table, nonmetals (like chlorine, Cl) typically gain electrons to achieve a full outer shell, resulting in negative charges; chlorine, for instance, gains one electron to form a Cl⁻ ion. In general, the charge trends transition from positive to negative across a period, reflecting the increasing electronegativity and the desire of elements to achieve stable electronic configurations.
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.
w
w
w
1 answer
1 answer