Which side of the periodic table will form positively charged ions and why?(3 points) Responses The left side will form positive ions because they are metals with a very low electronegativity. The left side will form positive ions because they are metals with a very low electronegativity. The right side will form positive ions because they are nonmetals with low electronegativity. The right side will form positive ions because they are nonmetals with low electronegativity. The metalloids on the stairstep have the best chance to form positive ions because of their electronegativity. The metalloids on the stairstep have the best chance to form positive ions because of their electronegativity. The noble gases in group 18 have the best chance to form any kind of ion. The noble gases in group 18 have the best chance to form any kind of ion.

1 answer

The correct response is that the left side of the periodic table will form positively charged ions because they are metals with a very low electronegativity.

Here are three points to support this response:

  1. Metallic Character: The elements on the left side of the periodic table, particularly the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, have a strong tendency to lose electrons. This is due to their metallic character, which allows them to easily lose their outermost electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration.

  2. Low Electronegativity: These metals have low electronegativity values, meaning they do not attract electrons strongly. As a result, when they react with other elements, they are more likely to give up electrons and form positive ions (cations) rather than gaining electrons to form negative ions (anions).

  3. Formation of Cations: The formation of cations is common among metals. For instance, sodium (Na) loses one electron to form a Na+ ion, and calcium (Ca) loses two electrons to form a Ca²+ ion. This tendency is consistent across the left side of the periodic table, where the elements readily form positive ions in chemical reactions.

In contrast, nonmetals on the right side of the periodic table tend to gain electrons to form negative ions (anions), and noble gases are typically inert and do not readily form ions.