Among the following elements identify the ones that would form anions potassium, oxygen ,sodium, chlorine ,calcium, chloride, magnesium write the electronic configuration of Ions identified above?

Question

Answer

Identification of Anions

Potassium (K): Would not form an anion as it is a metal and loses electrons to form cations.

Oxygen (O): Would form an anion as it gains two electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration. The resulting ion is O^2-.

Sodium (Na): Would not form an anion as it is a metal and loses electrons to form cations.

Chlorine (Cl): Would form an anion as it gains one electron to achieve a stable octet configuration. The resulting ion is Cl^-.

Calcium (Ca): Would not form an anion as it is a metal and loses electrons to form cations.

Chloride (Cl^-): Would not form an anion as it is already an anion with a stable octet configuration.

Magnesium (Mg): Would not form an anion as it is a metal and loses electrons to form cations.

Electronic Configuration of Identified Ions

O^2-: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶

Cl^-: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶

Explanation

An atom becomes an anion when it gains one or more electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration. Oxygen and chlorine are non-metals and have a high electronegativity, allowing them to attract electrons and form anions. The resulting ions have a stable octet configuration and are more stable than their parent atoms.

Potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium are metals and have low electronegativity, making it easier for them to lose electrons and form cations. Chloride is already an anion with a stable octet configuration and does not need to gain or lose electrons.

Answer

Potassium - It’s electronic configuration is

K= 2, L= 8, M=8, N=1

It is easier for it to lose one electron to gain stability. Hence it is a cation.

Oxygen-