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Atoms form ions so that they can have a full valence shell of electrons (sometimes called an octet). Many atoms will lose electrons and become positive ions, so that their electron configuration is like that of a noble gas. Certain atoms can gain electrons, becoming negative ions to reach a noble gas configuration.

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13y ago
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5mo ago

Atoms form ions by gaining or losing electrons in order to achieve a full outer electron shell and become more stable. Positively charged ions form when atoms lose electrons to achieve a full outer shell, while negatively charged ions form when atoms gain electrons for the same reason. This process helps atoms attain the stable electron arrangement of a noble gas.

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15y ago

Atoms are neutral. So when an atom transfers electrons to another, the atom that loses one or more electrons becomes positively charged and the atom that gains one or more electrons becomes negatively charged. These, now charged, particles are called ions.

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16y ago

Atoms that only have a few electrons on their outer (valence) shell are more able to lose electrons in order to complete the next lower valence, so the loss of those electrons causes a positive ion, due to the loss of negative electrons.

Atoms that have more - 6 or 7, will more readily "grab" electrons from atoms that are more willing to give them up. The gain of negatively charged electrons gives that an overall negative charge.

This is why cations and anions are attracted to each other - like a magnet, one is positive, one is negative, thus, they attract to each other. OR

It's a case of having a complete outer shell which means electronic stability a state naturally sought by all atoms. Eg Sodium and Potassium can attain it by losing one electron, Calcium and Magnesium by losing two electrons and they have a tendency to do just that whereas Chlorine can attain it by gaining one electron.

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10y ago

Ions form when atoms or groups of atoms lose or gain electrons.

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15y ago

Atoms form ions in order to help another to obtain a full octet and to stabilize the valence shell.

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9y ago

Atoms have generally unfilled valence orbitals. So atoms gain or lose electrons to for ions and thereby try to attain the electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas, which is stable.

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12y ago

Atoms and ions form compounds in order to become stable, which usually means achieving an octet (8) of valence electrons. They do this by either sharing electrons or transferring electrons.

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7y ago

After the loss or the gain of electrons an atom become an ion.

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7y ago

Gaining or losing electrons atoms become ions (anions or cations).

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Q: Outline why atoms form ion?
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Continue Learning about Chemistry

What type of bonds are formed when calcium atoms react with oxygen atoms?

Ionic bonds are formed when calcium atoms react with oxygen atoms. Calcium tends to lose two electrons to form a positive ion, while oxygen tends to gain two electrons to form a negative ion. The strong electrostatic attraction between the positive calcium ion and the negative oxygen ion results in the formation of an ionic bond.


What atoms is unlikely to form a positively charged ion potassium selenium barium silver?

Barium is unlikely to form a positively charged ion because it is an alkaline earth metal with a strong tendency to lose electrons and form a 2+ ion.


Contrast sodium and chloride ions including how they form. Write the symbol for each ion.?

Sodium ion (Na+) is a positively charged ion that forms when sodium atoms lose their outermost electron. Chloride ion (Cl-) is a negatively charged ion that forms when chlorine atoms gain an electron. The symbol for sodium ion is Na+ and for chloride ion is Cl-.


Hat are charged particles the form when atoms gain or lose electrons?

Charged particles that form when atoms gain or lose electrons are called ions. When an atom gains electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion (anion). When an atom loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion (cation).


What is the formula for the polyatomic ion Au2 Co3?

The polyatomic ion Au2Co3 does not exist. "Au2" represents two gold atoms, while "Co3" represents three cobalt atoms. These elements do not typically form polyatomic ions together.

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How many is atoms those sulfur loose or win to form an ion?

Sulfur can either gain 2 electrons to form the Sulfide ion (S^2-), or lose 6 electrons to form the Sulfate ion (SO4^2-).


What atoms can form an ion?

an atom which readily losses or gains electrons to attain stability forms an ion.


What kind of atoms what typically form an ion the bond?

metals and non-metals


When Potassium and fluorine atoms bind which will form the positive ion?

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Describe the molecular geometry of the hydronium ion H3O?

The ion hydronium has a pyramidal form, H atoms forming the base.


When Ca combines what ion does it form?

In an ionic bond to other atoms: Ca+2 , a positive ion (cation).And negative ions (anions) of the the combined atom or group of atoms.


What type of bonds are formed when calcium atoms react with oxygen atoms?

Ionic bonds are formed when calcium atoms react with oxygen atoms. Calcium tends to lose two electrons to form a positive ion, while oxygen tends to gain two electrons to form a negative ion. The strong electrostatic attraction between the positive calcium ion and the negative oxygen ion results in the formation of an ionic bond.


How do particles form negative ion?

Atoms become negatively charged when they gain an electron.


What atoms is unlikely to form a positively charged ion potassium selenium barium silver?

Barium is unlikely to form a positively charged ion because it is an alkaline earth metal with a strong tendency to lose electrons and form a 2+ ion.


Contrast sodium and chloride ions including how they form. Write the symbol for each ion.?

Sodium ion (Na+) is a positively charged ion that forms when sodium atoms lose their outermost electron. Chloride ion (Cl-) is a negatively charged ion that forms when chlorine atoms gain an electron. The symbol for sodium ion is Na+ and for chloride ion is Cl-.


A monatomic ion is made-up of two or more atoms that combine to form an ion that has a net positive charge.?

Molecular formula represents the actual number of atoms of different elements that constitute the molecule.


Hat are charged particles the form when atoms gain or lose electrons?

Charged particles that form when atoms gain or lose electrons are called ions. When an atom gains electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion (anion). When an atom loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion (cation).