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Atoms can attract additional electrons if there is room for them in the valence energy level. When an extra electron moves into the valence shell, it can feel the attraction exerted by the effective nuclear charge. Because the effective nuclear charge is largest for the elements on the right side of the Periodic Table, those atoms provide the greatest attraction for electrons and have the greatest tendency to gain electrons.
Thus the tendency of atoms to gain electrons increases as we go from left to right across the periodic table. At least it increases until we get to the inert gases. There it drops off to zero because there is no room for additional electrons in the valence energy level. A new electron would have to start a new energy level, but there would not be an additional proton in the nucleus to provide any effective nuclear charge.
As we look at elements going down the periodic table, the effective nuclear charge remains the same, so the increase in the number of energy levels is the important factor. The tendency of atoms to gain electrons decreases as we go down the periodic table. The reason for this is simply that with the larger atoms the added electron is not as close to the nucleus and therefore the attractive force exerted by the effective nuclear charge is not as powerful as it is in the smaller atoms.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoGenerally, elements most likely to gain electrons are those which already have reasonably full outer electron shells; for example, group 7 elements will always gain electrons, and group 1 always lose electrons. Therefore, elements further to the right of the periodic table will tend to gain electrons more.
However, the transition metals can follow a slightly more complicated ordering, so reference to their proton/electron numbers would be needed.
This is IN GENERAL: there will always be exceptions!
Someone may be able to give a more detailed answer, but that covers the basics.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe area on the right known as group 17 are the halogens. They have 7 electrons in their outer shell and can easily gain one more for the full 8.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoGroup 17 (the halogens) and the lower-numbered periods of Group 16, especially oxygen.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoyou find them either under the element symbol or the atomic mass. The atoms that gain electrons most easly is group 1 and group 17
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe halogens
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What happens in a reduction?
An element gains one or more electrons
If an atom of iodine gains one electron it will have the same number of valence electrons as which element?
The same number of valence electrons as xenon.
An element with 20 protons and 20 electrons gains one electron The electron goes into what type of orbital?
3d
Cations form when an atom gains electrons?
Cations are positive ions, so an atom is supposed to lose electrons to become a cation. Anions are formed when an atom gains electrons.
What element group gains or shares 1 electrons?
Elements in group 7A can only gain or share 1 electron.
When this element gains 2 electrons it has the electron configuration of the noble gas Argon?
The element is sulfur with 16 electrons. It gains two electrons to form sulfide ion which has 18 electrons as that of argon.
An element that gains electrons when combining with other elements is a?
A metalloid :)
What happens in a reduction?
An element gains one or more electrons
What more easily an atom gains an electron what does it release more of?
Electrons
Based on their placement on the periodic table what about ion formation is correct There is more than one correct statement?
A Group 6A element gains two electrons A Group 2A element loses two electrons A Group 3A element loses three electrons A Group 3A element loses three electrons group 1a element loses one electron group 7a gains one electron
What happens when an element gains electrons?
If a neutral atom gains one or more electrons, then it will have a negative change. If a positive atom gains electrons, it will have an increase in change, but the charge may be negative, neutral, or positive based on the initial charge and number of electrons gained. The process in which an atom gains electrons is known as reduction.
If an atom of iodine gains one electron it will have the same number of valence electrons as which element?
The same number of valence electrons as xenon.
How many electrons does nitrogen lose?
Nitrogen is a NON-metallic gas. It does not IONISE readily. However, it has ELECTRON AFFINITY. This means that it will gain electrons to form a negative ion (ANion) When an atom of nitrogen gains electrons it is shown as 'N^(3-).
The number of electrons in the outermost shell of an element is 5 what is its valency and why?
Its valency is 3 i.e. 8-5.The element is a non metal since it has 5 electrons in the outermost shell.Hence, it is very difficult for the element to loose 5 electrons and would be easier togain 3 electrons .Hence, the element gains 3 electrons and thus we consider its valencyto be 8- no. of valence electrons.
Does bromine lose or gain electrons?
it gains electrons.
What is the difference between an atom an isotope and an ion?
an ion is when an element loses or gains one or more electrons. an isotope is when a element loses or gains one or more neutrons. when one or more proton(s) is/are gained or lost, it becomes a different element.
What happens to the neutrally charged object if it gains electrons?
It gains electrons!
