How do you know whether an atom would loose electrons or gain electrons?

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Author Question: How do you know whether an atom would loose electrons or gain electrons? (Read 949 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.

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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.

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