Calcium is a metal in Group 2A of the periodic table. How will the calcium atom shown below achieve an octet if it takes part in an ionic bond? Remember that atoms bond in order to have a full outer level of 8 valence electrons, which is considered an octet.
In order for the calcium atom to achieve an octet, it will lose two valence electrons. This is because calcium has 2 valence electrons in its outermost energy level. By losing these two electrons, calcium will have a complete outer level of 8 valence electrons, fulfilling the octet rule.
a
The calcium atom will lose 8 electrons.
b
The calcium atom will gain 2 electrons.
c
The calcium atom will lose 20 electrons.
d
The calcium atom will gain 6 electrons.
e
The calcium atom will gain 8 electrons.
f
The calcium atom will lose 6 electrons.
g
The calcium atom will lose 2 electrons.
h
The calcium atom will gain 20 electrons.
g
The calcium atom will lose 2 electrons.