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A particular element (A) has one electron in its third shell. There is another element (B) with six electrons in its second shell. (i) How many electrons does A tend to give or take to become stable? (ii) What kind of ion would it form? (iii) How many electrons does B tend to give or take to become stable? (iv) What kind of ion would it form? (v) If A and B were to combine, what kind of bond would be formed? (vi) What would be the formula for the compound thus formed?
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- A is 2, 8, 1 (like sodium): (i) gives 1 electron; (ii) forms a cation A⁺ .
- B is 2, 6 (like oxygen): (iii) takes 2 electrons; (iv) forms an anion B²⁻ .
- (v) A gives electrons and B takes them → an ionic bond .
- (vi) Two A⁺ balance one B²⁻ → formula A₂B .
