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Chapter 5: Problem 2

What does a metal atom need to do in order to form a cation?

Short Answer

Expert verified
A metal atom forms a cation by losing one or more of its outermost electrons, resulting in a net positive charge.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding a cation

The first step involves understanding what a cation is. A cation is an ion with a positive charge resulting from the loss of one or more electrons. It is also important to note that metals generally form cations.
02

Understanding the electron configuration of a metal atom

Metals are on the left side of the periodic table. They possess few electrons in their outermost energy levels. Their electron configuration tends to lead them to lose electrons to achieve a stable configuration, usually that of a noble gas.
03

Explaining the formation of a cation

In order for a metal atom to become a cation, it has to lose its outermost electron(s). This is due to the fact that by losing these electrons, it reduces the energy of the atom and makes it more stable. This process results in a net positive charge, forming a cation.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Compound B has lower melting and boiling points than compound A does. At the same temperature, compound \(\mathrm{B}\) vaporizes faster and to a greater extent than compound A. If only one of these compounds is ionic, which one would you expect it to be? Why?

What does a nonmetal element need to do to form an anion?

The electron configuration for arsenic, As, is \([\mathrm{Ar}] 3 d^{10} 4 s^{2} 4 p^{3} .\) How many valence electrons does an As atom have? Write the symbol for the ion it forms to achieve a noble-gas configuration.

Explain how the octet rule describes how atoms form stable ions.

Why are most metals found in nature as ores and not as pure metals?
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