Metal and Non-Metal Ion Formation
Metals and non-metals form ions differently, which is crucial for understanding ionic bonding:
Metals always lose electrons to become positive ions. This process involves the removal of electrons from the outermost shell, resulting in a smaller ion with a positive charge.
Example: Lithium (Li) loses one electron to become Li+, while aluminum (Al) loses three electrons to become Al3+.
Non-metals, on the other hand, always gain electrons to become negative ions. This process involves the addition of electrons to the outermost shell, resulting in a larger ion with a negative charge.
Example: Nitrogen (N) gains three electrons to become N3-, while oxygen (O) gains two electrons to become O2-.
The electron configuration of these ions is important:
Vocabulary: The electron configuration refers to the arrangement of electrons in an atom or ion.
For example:
- Li+ has an electron configuration of 2
- Al3+ has an electron configuration of 2,8
- N3- has an electron configuration of 2,8
- O2- has an electron configuration of 2,8
- F- has an electron configuration of 2,8
Understanding these electron configurations is essential for predicting and explaining ionic bonding behavior.