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A potassium atom "always" loses exactly one valence electron when it reacts with another element, because one valence electron in a potassium atom has a much lower ionization energy requirement than any other electron in the same atom. (This property is generally ascribed to the fact that when a potassium loses exactly one electron, it acquires the very stable electron configuration of the noble gas argon.) A chlorine atom has a very strong attraction (its electronegativity) for exactly one electron, which gives the charged atom the electron configuration of an argon atom. Therefore, when a potassium atom is close enough to a chlorine atom, one electron is transferred between to form an ionic bond and a formula unit of the compound potassium chloride.

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Q: Why does a potassium atom always lose its one valence electron what type of bond will it form with a chlorine atom?
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What is it called when chlorine becomes chloride?

When chlorine becomes chloride, the chlorine gains an electron to form an anion. This process is called oxidation. Oxidation always occurs with reduction (loss of an electron from another substance) in an oxidation reduction reaction.


Why does ionisation result in a decrease in size for potassium but an increase in chlorine?

Ionization of potassium (K) results in a positive ion, K+, which has the electronic configuration of Ar. The ionization of chlorine (Cl) results in a negative ion (Cl-), also with the electronic configuration of Ar. Adding an electron always increases the size of an atom, and removing one always decreases its size.Note that both K+ and Cl- have the same number of electrons, but Cl- is larger than K+, because they are not as tightly held to the nucleus in Cl- because it has 2 less protons than potassium does. The size of the electron cloud determines the size of the atom and with fewer positively charged protons to pull the same number of electrons in close to the nucleus the electron cloud is larger for Cl-.


How many valence electrons does Sulfur?

there are 6 electrons in valence shell of sulphur so it accepts two electrons to complete the octet (8 electrons in last shell) so its valency in ionic compounds is always - 2.


Is chlorine found in its elemental state or combined with other elements?

Chlorine is never found free in nature. It is always combined with another or other elements into compounds. Chlorine is highly reactive, and it wants to borrow an electron from just anything it can get close to. In general, it actually wants to "steal" that electron to form an ionic bond, and sodium chloride (NaCl), which is table salt, is one example of a common chlorine compound.


When an atom loses one or more electrons what does the atom become?

Loosing electrons means little when compared to the original atom... The only difference with the atom at its new state is that it is now considered a cation. Cations are (put simply) atoms that have lost a single electron (valence or not), and now consist a positive charge rather than neutral.

Related questions

Chemical formula for potassium and chlorine?

Chloride: Cl-Potassium bromide: KBr


Is a valence electron the same thing as a electron?

Yes, but valence electrons are always in the outer electron shell of an atom.


What is it called when chlorine becomes chloride?

When chlorine becomes chloride, the chlorine gains an electron to form an anion. This process is called oxidation. Oxidation always occurs with reduction (loss of an electron from another substance) in an oxidation reduction reaction.


Why the valence of carbon is always positive?

valency of carbon is positive as it gives it electron so it is positively charge


Why does a chloride ion have a larger radius than a chlorine atom?

chlorine ion has one more electron than the chlorine atom, thus the pull of the electrons to the protons in the nucleus is less because of the extra electron allowing the electron cloud to relax a tiny bit


Why does ionisation result in a decrease in size for potassium but an increase in chlorine?

Ionization of potassium (K) results in a positive ion, K+, which has the electronic configuration of Ar. The ionization of chlorine (Cl) results in a negative ion (Cl-), also with the electronic configuration of Ar. Adding an electron always increases the size of an atom, and removing one always decreases its size.Note that both K+ and Cl- have the same number of electrons, but Cl- is larger than K+, because they are not as tightly held to the nucleus in Cl- because it has 2 less protons than potassium does. The size of the electron cloud determines the size of the atom and with fewer positively charged protons to pull the same number of electrons in close to the nucleus the electron cloud is larger for Cl-.


Does each Transition Metal on the Periodic Table only have 2 valence electrons according to the electron configuration with subshells?

Because valence electron are always in the outer most layer (here the N number). You would think that the valence would come from the D orbital but if you look attentively, there will always be a S orbital with a higher N number. Example: Sc 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d1 The valence electron will always come from the 4s2 subshell, and as you go along the period, the electrons are going to add up only in the 3d orbital.


How many valence electrons are in calcium plus chlorine?

the valence of CaCl2 is 2 because its not necessary that CaCl2 is always attached in hydrated form...... the basic thing which u study in your school classes that the outermost shell of both the element must be completed. so cacl2 has the valency of 2 because ca is electropositive. think it


Why are the particles in a sodium chloride molecule called ions rather than atoms?

They are called ions because they have an electric charge. The sodium gives up its (valence) electron so it gains a positive electrical charge. The chlorine gains this extra electron so it gains a negative electrical charge. IONS always refer to particles WITH AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE.


Is Na plus positive or negative?

positive (+ is always positive) This means it's an ion, because it's lacking one valence electron


How many valence electrons does Sulfur?

there are 6 electrons in valence shell of sulphur so it accepts two electrons to complete the octet (8 electrons in last shell) so its valency in ionic compounds is always - 2.


Which elements is less reactive an element whose atoms have seven valence electrons or an element whose atoms have eight valence electrons?

the element with seven valence electrons will be more reactive. The reason for this is that elements want to always want to have a full valence shell (they always want 8, like a noble gas). The element with eight valence electron is happy with its full shell and will not want to get rid of any electrons.