Atoms Form Ions to Achieve Stability
Why are positive and negative ions formed?
Remember that ions are formed only when electrons move from one atom to another; a proton never moves from one atom to another. Compounds formed from positive and negative ions are called ionic compounds. Individual atoms can gain or lose electrons. When they do, they become monatomic ions.
Answer:
Atoms form ions to achieve stability. This aligns with the Octet Rule which asserts atoms aim to have eight electrons in their outer shell for a stable configuration. Metals typically lose electrons and nonmetals gain them to achieve this.
Explanation: Atoms form ions to become stable. The concept of stability is connected to the Octet Rule, stating that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to have eight electrons in their outer shell, similar to noble gases. This is considered a stable configuration. For example, Sodium (Na), a metal, loses an electron to achieve a stable configuration, becoming a positive ion, while Chlorine (Cl), a nonmetal, gains an electron becoming a negative ion. It’s not related to isotopes which are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.