Question

A metal atom loses electrons from its outermost energy level and acquires a...... Charge. These electrons join a nonmetal atom. The ionic compound formed because of this transfer of electrons is electrically....... .

Answer 1

Answer : A metal atom loses electrons from its outermost energy level and acquires a Positive Charge. These electrons join a nonmetal atom. The ionic compound formed because of this transfer of electrons is electrically Neutral.

Explanation :

All the elements try to acquire octet state by gaining or losing electrons. For metals, the number of valence electrons are less and it is easier to lose these electrons.

When electrons are lost, the number of protons become more than the electrons. This creates an excess of positive charge. As a result the species becomes positively charged and is known as cation.

During formation of ionic bond, metals always form a positive ion (cation) by losing electrons. These electrons are accepted by the nonmetals and they become negatively charged. A negatively charged ion is known as anion and nonmetals always form an anion.

These are attracted to each other due to the opposite charges present on them. In an ionic compound they balance the charges on each other making the compound neutral.

From the above discussion, we can fill in the blanks as follows.

A metal atom loses electrons from its outermost energy level and acquires a Positive Charge. These electrons join a nonmetal atom. The ionic compound formed because of this transfer of electrons is electrically Neutral.