Question

Nonmetals seek to_____to have full outermost shells, while metals seek to_______to have full outermost shells. A. Gain protons/lose protons B. Lose
electrons/gain electrons C. Lose protons/gain protons D. Gain electrons/lose electrons

Answer 1

Answer: Option (D) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Non-metals are electron deficient in nature so, in order to complete their octet they need to gain electrons from metals or electron rich atoms.

Whereas metals are electron rich in nature so, in order to gain stability metals lose their valence electrons.

For example, atomic number of potassium is 19 and its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 8, 1. Whereas atomic number of chlorine is 17 and its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 7.

Therefore, sodium in order to gain stability will lose its valence electron to chlorine atom. Hence, an ionic bond will be formed resulting in the formation of KCl.

Thus, we can conclude that non-metals seek to gain electrons to have full outermost shells, while metals seek to lose electrons to have full outermost shells.