Question

Based on its location on the periodic table, which element would be most likely to form a negative ion?

Answer 1

Fluorine ONLY form\s an ion with a -1 charge. The other three are metals, and metals for positively charged ions.

Answer 2

Answer: The element which is most likely to form negative ion is fluorine.

Explanation:

An ion is formed when a neutral atom looses or gains electrons.

• When an atom looses electrons, it results in the formation of positive ion known as cation.
• When an atom gains electrons, it results in the formation of negative ion known as anion.

For the given options:

• Option A: Aluminium

Aluminium is the 13th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of $1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^1$

This element will loose 3 electrons to attain stable electronic configuration and will form $Al^{3+}$ ion

• Option B: Copper

Copper is the 29th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of $1s^22s^22p^63s^23p^64s^23d^9$

This element will loose 2 electrons to attain stable electronic configuration and will form $Cu^{2+}$ ion

• Option C: Sodium

Sodium is the 11th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of $1s^22s^22p^63s^1$

This element will loose 1 electron to attain stable electronic configuration and will form $Na^{+}$ ion

• Option D: Fluorine

Fluorine is the 9th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of $1s^22s^22p^5$

This element will gain 1 electron to attain stable electronic configuration and will form $F^{-}$ ion

Hence, the element which is most likely to form negative ion is fluorine.