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It is an alkali metal (Group 1 element). So, it needs to lose one electron in order to form a full valence shell (the one beneath it). Full valence shells are more stable states.

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How many electrons does sodium want to lose?

Sodium wants to lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to the noble gas neon.


How does the size of the anion compare to the size of the atom?

The size of a positive ion is smaller than the size of its neutral atom. This is because a positive ion has lost one or more electrons. Because there are less electrons than protons, the protons have a stronger pull on the electrons. Consequently, the protons pull the electrons in and the ionic radius decreases. In the case of the Lithium ion, it has lost one electron, so it is smaller than its neutral atom.


How many electrons will groups 1 and 2 and 3 lose?

Groups determine the number of electrons on the outer shell of an atom. When elements react, they want to complete their outer most shell. Filling the outer most shell is called the octet rule. In the cases of groups 1, 2 and 3, they want to donate, 1, 2 or 3 electrons to lose the outer most shell and form a completed outer shell.


Which group of elements want to lose exactly one electron?

Group 1 elements, such as sodium (Na) and potassium (K), want to lose exactly one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. This makes them highly reactive as they try to achieve a full outer shell of electrons.


How is the reaction of lithium and water similar to the reaction of potassium and water?

Both lithium and potassium have only one electron in their outer electron shell (the valence shell). That's what makes them members of Group 1 of the periodic table, the Alkali metals. These elements want to loan out that one electron. When water is dumped on lithium (Li) or potassium (K), they will react to form the hydroxides, LiOH and KOH, respectively. Lithium and potassium take the OH- ion (the hydroxide ion) from water, and dump an electron on the hydrogen atom to create hydrogen gas. Here are the two (balanced) equations: 2Li + 2H2O => 2LiOH + H2 (gas) 2K+ 2H2O => 2KOH + H2 (gas)

Related Questions

Why does a lithium atom want to lose an electron?

Because lithium has a very low electronegativity.


What is the chemical symbol for ion with 3 protons 2 electrons?

look at the periodic table of elements. You want an Ion, which is why it has a different number of protons than electrons. It's atomic number must either be 3 or 2, right? those are the only numbers you have. So it must either be lithium or helium. So the question is, When an atom becomes an ion, does it lose an electron or gain a proton? If it loses the electron, it must be lithium, but if it gains a proton, it must be helium. good luck


How many electrons does sodium want to lose?

Sodium wants to lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to the noble gas neon.


What does the nucleus of the one atom want to do to the electrons of a nearby atom?

If the nucleus is missing an atom, it will try to steel an electron from another atom.


What does the nucleus of one want to do to the electrons of a nearby atom?

If the nucleus is missing an atom, it will try to steel an electron from another atom.


How atoms gain electron?

when an any atoms want to achieved a state of nearest an inert atom, its gain electron


How does the size of the anion compare to the size of the atom?

The size of a positive ion is smaller than the size of its neutral atom. This is because a positive ion has lost one or more electrons. Because there are less electrons than protons, the protons have a stronger pull on the electrons. Consequently, the protons pull the electrons in and the ionic radius decreases. In the case of the Lithium ion, it has lost one electron, so it is smaller than its neutral atom.


What does the nucleus of an atom want to do to its own electron?

The nucleus of an atom, having a positive charge, exerts an attractive force on the atom's negative electrons.


What happens to an atom when it looses an electron?

If an atom loses an electron, its charge becomes a positive. (The process of losing an electron is called OXIDATION, by the way.) Depending on the electron configuration, the atom could become "happy" (because its outer ring is now empty) or it could want to bond with another atom to fill ALL of the spots on its outer electron ring.


What does the nucleus of one atom want to do to the electron of nearby atoms?

depends on the atom and how many electrons it needs to complete its outer shell. Elements like Oxygen, Florine i.e. the right side of the periodic tableexcludingthe noble gases, these elements want to take an electron off of the metal groups which are generally on the left side of the Periodic Table, the metal elements for example arePotassium, Magnesium etc. The metals want to lose an electron because they are closer to having an full outer shell if they get rid of 1 or two electrons


What does the nucleus of one atom want to do to the electrons nearby the atom?

depends on the atom and how many electrons it needs to complete its outer shell. Elements like Oxygen, Florine i.e. the right side of the periodic tableexcludingthe noble gases, these elements want to take an electron off of the metal groups which are generally on the left side of the Periodic Table, the metal elements for example arePotassium, Magnesium etc. The metals want to lose an electron because they are closer to having an full outer shell if they get rid of 1 or two electrons


What does the nucleus of on atom want to do to the electrons of a nearby atom?

depends on the atom and how many electrons it needs to complete its outer shell. Elements like Oxygen, Florine i.e. the right side of the periodic tableexcludingthe noble gases, these elements want to take an electron off of the metal groups which are generally on the left side of the Periodic Table, the metal elements for example arePotassium, Magnesium etc. The metals want to lose an electron because they are closer to having an full outer shell if they get rid of 1 or two electrons