How do atoms fill their outer energy cells?

Answer 1

There are several ways:

First, the atom can from a covalent bond with another atom. This means that the two atoms "share" some of their electrons, and the electrons "count" towards the shell of both atoms. For instance, hydrogen, which has 1 electron and needs two to fill its shell, could share an electron pair with chlorine, which has 7 electrons and needs 8 to fill its shell, thus giving both atoms full outer shells

Second, the atom could become a negative ion. This entails it pulling an electron off another atom and into its own shell. This is most common when atoms need only one or two electrons to fill their shell, giving us -1 and -2 ions (an electron counts as -1), though higher numbers are not impossible. Note also that since the atom that got they electron has a negative charge and the atom that lost it now has a positive charge, they tend to stick together in an ionic bond.

Answer 2

Atoms can either borrow electrons or loan out electrons to complete their outer shell. If atoms only have a couple or three electrons in their outer shell (the valence shell), they will want to loan these out rather than try to borrow a ton of electrons to fill the outer shell. On the other hand, if an atom has a "mostly full" outer shell, it will want to borrow an electron or three to fill that outermost shell. By borrowing or loaning out electrons, atoms try to attain an electron configuration that mimics that of an inert gas. And we all know that the inert or noble gases have the most stable electron configurations. The idea that atoms will borrow or loan out electrons to attain electron configurations that "look like" those of the inert gases is the whole basis for the science of chemistry.

Answer 3

An atom can be positively or negatively charged. If it has a charge, it is then called an ion.

To form a positive ion, an electron must be removed, because electrons are negatively charged. A proton can also be added to an atom to form a positive ion, but this is incredibly difficult under normal conditions and forms a completely different element.

Conversely, a negative ion can be formed by the addition of an electron or the removal of a proton.

Answer 4

By the transfer of electrons to form negative ions, or by sharing electrons in covalent bonds.

Note that while atoms generally achieve the octet ns2, np6, the noble gas configuration, but this this does not fill the outer shell for elements in periods 3 and above.

Answer 5

The two ways are gain or loss of electrons. Metals typically lose electrons to form cations, psitively charged ions. Non-metals typically gain electrons to form anions, negatively charged ions.

Answer 6

Atoms either gain electrons, lose electrons or share them.

Answer 7

Forming chemical compounds is a method.

Answer 8

By chemical bondings