Why are the atoms of elements in Group 1A likely to form ions with a 1+ charge?

Question

All I know is that...when an atom loses an e-, it becomes a positive ion.

Answer 1

They will tend to give away one electron, which leaves them with a full valence shell (the shell underneath the one which held that lone e-) In giving away a negatively charged electron, the net charge would be 1+

Answer 2

elements in group 1A have only one electron in the outermost shell. All atoms try to achieve the stable electronic configuration of the nearest inert gas.stable electronic configuration means a shell with 8 electrons in the last shell
in an atom the number of electrons=no. of protons
as the atom is neutral
when an electron loses an electron to achieve stable electronic configuration the no. pf proton is greater than the no. of electrons.protons are positive in charge
and when the atom loses an electron it has one extra positive charge therefore it becomes an atom with one positive charge also called as a cation.

Answer 3

The first piece of information vital to this explanation is that atoms tend toward greater stability / lower energy. Elements in group VIIIA (8A) are named Noble Gases and are very stable. Other atoms in the periodic table want to achieve this stability. The reason for the stability of the Noble Gases it that they have 8 valence electrons (electrons in their outermost shell). Atoms in group IA (1A) have only one electron in their valence shell. These atoms would like to achieve this octet (8 electron valence shell) therefore, they will lose one electron to achieve this configuration.

Answer 4

Elements in column 1 are in column 1 because they all have 1 electrons in their outer ring. They like to give this electron away forming a +1 ion.

Answer 5

Because, by ejecting a single electron, they form an electronic configuration very much like the noble gases, with all except the valence orbital filled.

The inverse is true of the group VIIA elements (halides) -- by adding an electron, they fill up all their orbitals, mimicking the noble gases.

Answer 6

Elements like to have their highest energy level filled with electrons (rather than have some electrons hanging out on a semi-filled higher level) and the elements in Group 1A just have one extra electron hanging out, so they tend to lose it (because that's easier than gaining a bunch more to fill it),