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An electron can be gained or lost from an atom for two reasons:

1. A random number of atoms can be close together will have electrons bumping into each other. Since all electrons have a negative charge, they will have magnetic effects on one another, and will push eachother of the outer shell of their atoms and into different ones.

2.Two or more atoms can bond together so that both atoms in turn have a balanced number of electrons.

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Q: What are two ways electrons can be gained or lost from an atom?
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What are two ways in which atoms can gain energy so that their electrons move to a higher energy level?

methods in which an atom can gain energy


What particles are easier to add to and remove from an atom?

In normal chemical reactions, electrons are easier to add or remove from an atom. Protons and neutrons are never added or removed in normal chemical reactions. Only nuclear reactions can change the numbers of protons and neutrons, such as radioactive decay. However, even then the protons and neutrons are not added or removed in the way that electrons are.


How does a neutral atom become a negative ion?

The positivity and negativity of an ion is determined by the number of electrons compared to that of protons. If there are more electrons than protons in the ion, it is considered negative. It becomes negative by gaining electrons, which can happen a number of ways. Simply put, most often it gains electrons by pulling them off of other elements and molecules. The more electronegative an element is, the easier it is for it to do this. Elements are most stable in their "octet" configuration where all of the available spots in an orbital are filled. Elements with less than a perfect octet will rip electrons off of other things.


Two ways chemical bonds form are?

one way is when electrons are are share between two atoms another is when an atom loses or gaons an electron


Why is the outer shell of electrons thought to be the most important for determining chemical properties?

since the inner shells are filled, it is the outer electrons that take part in the bonding. They can give away 1 or 2 or 3 electrons or take 1 or 2 or 3 to fill their outer ring. Or they can share.electrons in the outer ring.

Related questions

What three ways in which Congress has gained and lost power?

They gained power in order to vote for the people. They lose some because they can be voted out if the people do not like their decisions.


How many electrons will be gained or lost in carbon?

Carbon is the "utility player" of chemistry, and can bond in many different ways with other elements. It generally shares electrons covalently with other non-metals, usually hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. It doesn't typically lose or gain them (but can in certain situations.)


How do the ways in which the mass and the charge of an atom are distributed differ?

IF it donates an electron -then atom gains positive charge and if it accepts an electron then it acquires negative charge. the mass of an atom is dependent on protons and neutrons in the nucleus and electrons decide the charge of an atom


What are two ways in which atoms can gain energy so that their electrons move to a higher energy level?

methods in which an atom can gain energy


How is the reactivity of elements related to valence electrons in atoms?

Valance electrons means that the element has not reached the octet configuration and is therefore reactive the reactivity depends on the no. of valance electrons the more valance electrons the more unstable the atom is and the more reactive it is.The gasses like helium neon xenon are all inert which means they have an octet configuration and have no delocalised or valance electrons.


What are the three ways in which an atom can form binds with other atoms?

You have a misconception about chemical bonding. Electrons do not form bonds with other electrons. As you will recall from Coulomb's Law, electrons repel other electrons since they all have the same negative charge, and like charges repel, while opposite charges attract. So it is the oppositely charged protons to which electrons are attracted. Since atoms contain both protons and electrons, atoms bond with other atoms because the electrons in one atom can be attracted to the protons in a different atom. And there are various types of bonding between atoms. These include ionic, covalent, and metallic.


Why can a carbon atom bond with itself easily?

It has 4 valence electrons which can bond to itself in any of 3 ways: singly, doubly, or triply. Carbon is not the only element that is good at this: silicon and germanium can do the same.


What particles are easier to add to and remove from an atom?

In normal chemical reactions, electrons are easier to add or remove from an atom. Protons and neutrons are never added or removed in normal chemical reactions. Only nuclear reactions can change the numbers of protons and neutrons, such as radioactive decay. However, even then the protons and neutrons are not added or removed in the way that electrons are.


What is the role of an electron is an atom?

Electrons determine the ways in which atoms join together chemically, by forming bonds with other atoms. They also are carriers of electrical energy (current).


What is the role of an electron in an atom?

Electrons determine the ways in which atoms join together chemically, by forming bonds with other atoms. They also are carriers of electrical energy (current).


How does a neutral atom become a negative ion?

The positivity and negativity of an ion is determined by the number of electrons compared to that of protons. If there are more electrons than protons in the ion, it is considered negative. It becomes negative by gaining electrons, which can happen a number of ways. Simply put, most often it gains electrons by pulling them off of other elements and molecules. The more electronegative an element is, the easier it is for it to do this. Elements are most stable in their "octet" configuration where all of the available spots in an orbital are filled. Elements with less than a perfect octet will rip electrons off of other things.


What are two ways that's electrons form chemical bonds between atoms?

1. ionic bonding. An atom either takes an electron making it an anion or gives away an electron forming a cation. Either way, the atom becomes an ion. 2. Covalent bonding. Atoms share electrons. Ions are normally not formed.