like sodium (v=1), and an atom having a high valence like iodine (v=7) and being stable at a negative charge. What quality on a periodic chart tells what charge an atom is stable at?
2007-01-16 07:10:48 · 1 answers · asked by Lisa 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
An atom will have a stable cation or anion if the ions have the electronic configuration that is a STABLE octet or any pseudo stable "octet" in the outer shell or valence shell. In the case of Na it has a valence electron at 3s1.If this one electron is removed it will have exactly the same electronic configuration as Neon which is a STABLE configuration; except for the positive charge. Now Iodine is just one short of the stable NOBLE gas configuration of Xenon. Again by gaining one it will have a stable configuration except for the negative charge.
On the periodic table, for example in period 2, the tendency of elements in group 1, 2, 13, 14 and the transition metals 3-12 is to lose electrons to form stable cations and groups from 14, 15, 16, 17 has a tendency to grab or accept another electron to form a stable anion.
Please note that as you get close to group 14, the atoms can go either way which makes for interesting and more diverse combinations of atoms.
(That is why chemistry is interesting and versatile) It is strict and variable at the same time. In chemistry it is the TREND behavior that is important and which you need to know, UNLIKE math which is very very strict.
2007-01-16 07:30:52 · answer #1 · answered by Aldo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋