Outline why atoms form ion?

Answer 1

Atoms form ions so that they can have a full valence shell of electrons (sometimes called an octet). Many atoms will lose electrons and become positive ions, so that their electron configuration is like that of a noble gas. Certain atoms can gain electrons, becoming negative ions to reach a noble gas configuration.

Answer 2

Atoms are neutral. So when an atom transfers electrons to another, the atom that loses one or more electrons becomes positively charged and the atom that gains one or more electrons becomes negatively charged. These, now charged, particles are called ions.

Answer 3

Atoms that only have a few electrons on their outer (valence) shell are more able to lose electrons in order to complete the next lower valence, so the loss of those electrons causes a positive ion, due to the loss of negative electrons.

Atoms that have more - 6 or 7, will more readily "grab" electrons from atoms that are more willing to give them up. The gain of negatively charged electrons gives that an overall negative charge.

This is why cations and anions are attracted to each other - like a magnet, one is positive, one is negative, thus, they attract to each other. OR

It's a case of having a complete outer shell which means electronic stability a state naturally sought by all atoms. Eg Sodium and Potassium can attain it by losing one electron, Calcium and Magnesium by losing two electrons and they have a tendency to do just that whereas Chlorine can attain it by gaining one electron.

Answer 4

Ions form when atoms or groups of atoms lose or gain electrons.

Answer 5

Atoms form ions in order to help another to obtain a full octet and to stabilize the valence shell.

Answer 6

Atoms have generally unfilled valence orbitals. So atoms gain or lose electrons to for ions and thereby try to attain the electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas, which is stable.

Answer 7

Atoms and ions form compounds in order to become stable, which usually means achieving an octet (8) of valence electrons. They do this by either sharing electrons or transferring electrons.

Answer 8

After the loss or the gain of electrons an atom become an ion.

Answer 9

Gaining or losing electrons atoms become ions (anions or cations).