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Elements which are "metals" - meaning that they have excess electrons that can flow from atom to atom, and elements that are halogens, meaning that they lack only one electron to have a full electron shell, are both more stable as ions than as neutral elements.

Sodium, for example, has one "extra" electron which is weakly bound; chlorine is a halogen which has space for one extra electron. Sodium Chloride will bind very well as "common table salt".

Chemistry joke: Two Lithium atoms are walking down the sidewalk, and one trips and falls. The other atom asks, "Are you OK?"

The atom that had fallen said "No, I've lost an electron!"

The other atom asked "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" said that fallen atom. "I'm Positive!".

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Is each ion stable?

No, not all ions are stable. Ions can be stable or unstable depending on their electron configuration. Stable ions often have a full valence shell, while unstable ions may have an incomplete valence shell, leading to reactivity in order to achieve stability through gaining or losing electrons.


Why does argon not form ions?

Atoms become ions by gaining or losing electrons to achieve a noble gas configuration of electrons, which is stable. Argon already has such a configuration and is very stable as it is. Any gain or loss of electrons would make it less stable.


What ions d bases have?

Bases accept protons in a chemical reaction, so they typically have ions that include hydroxide (OH-) or oxide (O2-) ions. These ions help neutralize acids by combining with hydrogen ions to form water or other stable compounds.


Are ions stable in chemical reactions?

Ions can be stable or unstable in chemical reactions, depending on their electronic configuration and the presence of other ions or molecules. Some ions are more stable than others due to their full outer electron shells, while others may react readily to achieve stability.


How did chloride ions achieve stable arrangement in copper chloride?

Chloride ions achieve a stable arrangement in copper chloride through ionic bonding with copper ions. Each copper ion can attract and bond with multiple chloride ions, resulting in a stable crystal lattice structure where the positive and negative charges are balanced. This arrangement helps to minimize the overall energy of the system, making it more stable.

Related Questions

Why are ions not stable?

Ions are stable.


If your lab partner believes that all ions are stable how would you explain his belief is wrong?

Not all ions are stable. Ions can be stable or unstable depending on their electron configuration. Some ions are stable because they have a full outer electron shell, while others are not stable and may react to achieve a more stable electron configuration. It's important to understand the concept of stability in relation to electronic configuration when considering ions.


Is each ion stable?

No, not all ions are stable. Ions can be stable or unstable depending on their electron configuration. Stable ions often have a full valence shell, while unstable ions may have an incomplete valence shell, leading to reactivity in order to achieve stability through gaining or losing electrons.


Why does argon not form ions?

Atoms become ions by gaining or losing electrons to achieve a noble gas configuration of electrons, which is stable. Argon already has such a configuration and is very stable as it is. Any gain or loss of electrons would make it less stable.


What ions d bases have?

Bases accept protons in a chemical reaction, so they typically have ions that include hydroxide (OH-) or oxide (O2-) ions. These ions help neutralize acids by combining with hydrogen ions to form water or other stable compounds.


Are ions stable in chemical reactions?

Ions can be stable or unstable in chemical reactions, depending on their electronic configuration and the presence of other ions or molecules. Some ions are more stable than others due to their full outer electron shells, while others may react readily to achieve stability.


How did chloride ions achieve stable arrangement in copper chloride?

Chloride ions achieve a stable arrangement in copper chloride through ionic bonding with copper ions. Each copper ion can attract and bond with multiple chloride ions, resulting in a stable crystal lattice structure where the positive and negative charges are balanced. This arrangement helps to minimize the overall energy of the system, making it more stable.


What is the symbols of the ions with 19 protons and 18 electrons?

Ar0 there is no ions formed because it is already stable.


What is the relationship between the stable ions and the noble gases?

Generally (but not always) stable ions will have the same the electronic configuration as that of noble gases (completely filled valence shells / orbitals)


Why Na and Cl are poisonous but Na Cl is not?

Because the ions in sodium chloride have full outer shells, so they're stable.


What is the charge on ions of boron?

Boron typically forms ions with a charge of +3. This is because boron has an atomic number of 5, so it loses three electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.


Why atoms of group 0 elements do not form ions?

Group 0 elements, also known as noble gases, have a full outer electron shell which makes them very stable and unreactive. They do not readily gain or lose electrons to form ions because doing so would disrupt their stable electron configuration.