Phosphorus will gain 3 electrons to form an ion with a 3- charge (P3-). This is because phosphorus has 5 valence electrons and needs to achieve a stable electron configuration like a noble gas. By gaining 3 electrons, phosphorus can achieve the electron configuration of argon.
If phosphorus forms a monatomic ion, it gains electrons and form a phosphide ion. More commonly, however, phosphorus forms a polyatomic anion including one or more oxygen atoms. The bonds within these polyatomic anions are covalent, but phosphorus is considered to have a positive oxidation number in such anions, and positive oxidation number corresponds to losing electrons.
Krypton can gain a maximum of 2 electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration, forming the Kryptonide anion. It does not typically lose electrons.
Polonium belongs to the group of elements that are known to lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. It typically loses electrons to form a 2+ oxidation state.
Atoms of metals tend to lose electrons to become stable, while atoms of nonmetals tend to gain electrons to become stable. This transfer of electrons creates ions with a full outer electron shell.
Phosphorus wants to gain three electrons to have 8 valence electrons.
Phosphorus can gain up to three electrons to achieve a full outer shell and form the phosphide ion (P3-), or lose up to three electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration and form the phosphorus cation (P3+).
Phosphorus has 5 valence electrons. To have 8 valence electrons, it must gain 3 electrons to reach stability.
Phosphorus will gain 3 electrons to form an ion with a 3- charge (P3-). This is because phosphorus has 5 valence electrons and needs to achieve a stable electron configuration like a noble gas. By gaining 3 electrons, phosphorus can achieve the electron configuration of argon.
Phosphorus needs to gain three electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.
Lose
If phosphorus forms a monatomic ion, it gains electrons and form a phosphide ion. More commonly, however, phosphorus forms a polyatomic anion including one or more oxygen atoms. The bonds within these polyatomic anions are covalent, but phosphorus is considered to have a positive oxidation number in such anions, and positive oxidation number corresponds to losing electrons.
The optimum number of electrons for phosphorus to possess in its outermost shell is 8 electrons, following the octet rule. This means phosphorus will typically either gain 3 electrons or lose 5 electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.
When atoms lose or gain electrons, they form ions. These are charged particles.
Se will gain electrons
Lose electrons is oxidation. To gain electrons is reduction.
Silicon (Si) can gain or lose 4 electrons. It can either gain 4 electrons to have a stable octet configuration or lose 4 electrons to achieve a stable configuration.