Question

What type of compounds are usually formed between metals and non metals and why ?

Answer 1

Metals :

• Metals are the elements that always lose electrons i.e, they are electropositive to achieve the stable electronic configuration of noble gases.
• Metals are cations i.e, they are positively charged species
• For example, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+},{\mathrm{Mg}}^{2+},{\mathrm{Al}}^{3+}$ etc.

Non-metals:

• Non-metals are those elements that always accept electrons i.e, they are electronegative to achieve the stable electronic configuration of noble gases.
• Metals are anions i.e, they are negatively charged species.
• For example, ${\mathrm{I}}^{-},{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-},{\mathrm{Br}}^{-}$etc.

Conclusion :

• Metals and non-metals usually form ionic compounds.
• The oppositely charged ions are called cations and anions.
• Cation is formed by the loss of an electron.
• Anion is formed by the gain of electrons.
• Normally electron lost by cation is absorbed by anion.
• The force which holds these two ions together is known as the electrostatic force of attraction.
• The compound so formed is called an ionic bond or electrovalent bond.
• Metals always lose one or more electrons and are accepted by non-metals so that both will achieve a stable electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas.