Predict how many electrons will most likely be gained or lost by each of the following elements.
Al
I know it loses but how many?
Al is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1
So the outside shell has 3, it will lose 3.
thanks. can u explain that? and how did u know the stuff? like i am confused
The easiest way is to look at the periodic table and find Al in group III or group 13 (depending upon the system in use by your prof). In any event, III means it loses 3 (if group 13, the second number is the one you go by).
The 1s and 2s stuff above is how the electrons are divided by orbitals. You may not have covered that yet.
Yah I don't think we have gotten to the second part but the first makes sense.
Thanks:)
so how would u do it when an element gains. like Cl?
For group I, II, and III, (1,2, and 13) there are 1, 2, and 3 electrons in the outside shell so they lose 1, 2, or 3 electrons.
For groups V, VI, and VII (groups 15, 16, 17) they have 5, 6, and 7 electrons in the outer shell; therefore, the GAIN 3 (starting with 5 to make 8), gain 2 (starting with 6 to make 8), or gain 1(starting with7 to make 8). Group 8 (or 18) already have 8 so those usually don't do either. Group IV (14) is the only one not discussed above so those elements can gain OR lose 4 BUT they usually don't do either; rather carbon etc share electrons to fill their outside shells.
To predict how many electrons are gained or lost by an atom of an element, you need to look at its position in the periodic table.
In the case of aluminum (Al), it is located in Group 13 of the periodic table. Elements in Group 13 have three valence electrons, which means they have three electrons in their outermost electron shell.
When aluminum forms an ion, it typically loses its three valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. By losing these electrons, aluminum achieves a full octet, similar to the electron configuration of a noble gas. Hence, aluminum is likely to lose three electrons.
The loss of three electrons results in the formation of a positive ion (cation) with a charge of +3.