Question

Atoms of ___ elements that have 1, 2 or 3 valence elelctrons can lose electrons to atoms of ___ elements which have 5, 6 or 7 electrons, thereby forming an electrovalent compound.

Answer 1

• Metals give away valence electrons to form cations (positively charged) and a stable octet.
• Non-metals gain electrons in order to form anions (negatively charged) and a stable octet.
• The electron affinity of metals is lower than that of non-metals. Hence, it is easier for non-metals to gain electrons.

Hence, Atoms of Metal elements that have 1, 2, or 3 valence electrons can lose electrons to atoms of Non-metal elements which have 5, 6, or 7 electrons, thereby forming an electrovalent compound.