Ion Formation

Ions are charged atoms, either having a positive or negative charge. During a chemical reaction, an
atom wants to attain a full valence (outer) shell of electrons. Once an atom has a full valence shell, it
is stable.
Atoms get a full valence shell by losing or gaining electrons.

Cations – positively charged ions. During a chemical reaction, cations LOSE electrons. The positive
charge arises from having more protons (positively charged) than electrons (negatively
charged).
e.g. Li+ (Lithium ion), Ca2+ (Calcium ion)

Anions – negatively charged ions. During a chemical reaction, anions GAIN electrons. The negative
charge arises from having more electrons (negatively charged) than protons (positively
charged).
e.g. F- (Fluoride ion), S2- (Sulphide ion)

1) Define the term ‘ion’: __________________________________________________________

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2) Why do atoms gain or lose electrons? ____________________________________________

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3) Sodium (Na) has an atomic number of 11. It has 11 electrons arranged as 2,8,1.

a) How many electrons are in sodium’s valence shell? _________________________________

b) How many electrons would it need to gain in order to have a complete outer shell? ________

c) How many electrons would it need to lose in order to have a complete outer shell? ________

d) Is it easier for a sodium atom to gain or lose electrons? ______________________________

e) What will be the final charge of the sodium ion? ____________________________________

f) Give the electron arrangement of the sodium ion ___________________________________

4) Chlorine (Cl) has an atomic number of 17. It has 17 electrons arranged as 2,8,7.

a) How many electrons are in chlorine’s valence shell? ________________________________

b) How many electrons would it need to gain in order to have a complete outer shell? ________

c) How many electrons would it need to lose in order to have a complete outer shell? ________

d) Is it easier for a chlorine atom to gain or lose electrons? ______________________________

e) What will be the final charge of the chlorine ion? ____________________________________

f) Give the electron arrangement of the chlorine ion? __________________________________

 5) Complete the following table using your table of ions.

ATOM ION
Atom
Number Number Number Number Gains OR
Atom Electron Ion Ion Electron Name of
of of of of loses ______
symbol Arrangemen Symbol Arrangement Ion
protons electrons protons electrons electron
t

Gains 1
F 9 9 2, 7 F- 9 10 2, 8 Fluoride
electron

Li

Na

Cl

Ca

Mg

Al

6) Neon has an atomic number of 10. It has electrons arranged as 2, 8. Suggest why neon is

very unreactive. ______________________________________________________________

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7) Describe why beryllium and calcium atoms both form ions with a charge of +2. _________

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8) Describe why oxygen and sulphur atoms both form ions with a charge of -2.____________

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