« previous next »

Author Question: How do you know whether an atom would loose electrons or gain electrons? (Read 1114 times)

123654777

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 585
on: Sep 20, 2013
Calcium has two valence electrons, how can i tell if calcium gains or looses electrons to form stable octect?


sadsdas

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Reply #1 on: Sep 20, 2013
Calcium is a metal, and metals usually lose electrons to form a stable octet.

This is because it's easier for Calcium to lose TWO electrons, than gain SIX electrons.

To form a stable octet, atoms need eight valence electrons.


Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question

penza

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,022
Reply #2 on: Sep 20, 2013
Calcium wants to end up with a complete outer ring of electrons.  It can do that by gaining six electrons or by losing two.  Losing two is easier.


« previous next »
 

Did you know?

Cancer has been around as long as humankind, but only in the second half of the twentieth century did the number of cancer cases explode.

Did you know?

A cataract is a clouding of the eyes' natural lens. As we age, some clouding of the lens may occur. The first sign of a cataract is usually blurry vision. Although glasses and other visual aids may at first help a person with cataracts, surgery may become inevitable. Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision, and it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States.

Did you know?

Signs of depression include feeling sad most of the time for 2 weeks or longer; loss of interest in things normally enjoyed; lack of energy; sleep and appetite disturbances; weight changes; feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness; an inability to make decisions; and thoughts of death and suicide.

Did you know?

Bacteria have been found alive in a lake buried one half mile under ice in Antarctica.

Did you know?

It is believed that humans initially contracted crabs from gorillas about 3 million years ago from either sleeping in gorilla nests or eating the apes.

Terrestrial plants and animals can be characterized by analogous pathways for water gain and loss. Terrestrial plants and animals can be characterized by analogous pathways for water gain and loss.
The iron atom of heme has six coordination bonds: four in the plane The iron atom of heme has six coordination bonds: four in the plane
Electrons Electrons
Atom formation Atom formation
A triatomic molecule is oriented as follows along the x-axis: atom 1 of mass m is at the ... A triatomic molecule is oriented as follows along the x-axis: atom 1 of mass m is at the ...
How to calculate the gain and loss gene numbers with low bootstrap of phylogenetic tree? How to calculate the gain and loss gene numbers with low bootstrap of phylogenetic tree?
Video: Bulk flow - factors that influence bulk flow

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library