Question

Metals and nonmetals can react with each other to form ions. Complete these statements.A potassium atom gains or loses (electrons/protons/neutrons) and forms how many ion?A sulfur atom gains or loses (electrons/protons/neutrons) and forms how many ion?

Answer 1

Answer:

• A potassium atom loses one electron and forms one ion.

• A sulfur atom gains two electrons and forms one ion.

Explanation:

Indeed, in virtue of their electron configuration, metals can react with nonmetals by the former donating one or more electrons, from their valence electron shell, which the latter can accept.

The reaction in which a metal loses electrons and forms a positive ion (cation), while a nonmetal gains those electrons and forms a negative ion (anion) is the formation of a ionic compound, which is a chemical reaction.

The chemical reactions happen in virtue of sharing, accepting or donating electrons, mainly from the valence electron shells of the atoms. Protons and neutrons are not exchanged, loss or gained in chemical reactions.  The reactions in which protons and neutrons can take part are nuclear reations (not chemical reactions).

Potassium (Z = 19) has one valence electron, so it can lose it to form the cation K⁺, with one positive charge; while sulfur (Z = 16) has 6 valence eletrons, making it possible for it gaining two electrons to form the anion S²⁻.

Then, each S²⁻ ion can combine with two K⁺ ions to form the ionic compound, K₂S, potassium sulfide. See that two potassium atoms combine with one sulfur atom to form one unit of the ionic compound.