Does chlorine gain or lose electrons?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether chlorine tends to gain or lose electrons in chemical reactions, which relates to its behavior as a halogen in terms of electron affinity and ionization.
Answer
Chlorine gains one electron.
Chlorine gains one electron when it reacts to form an ion.
Answer for screen readers
Chlorine gains one electron when it reacts to form an ion.
More Information
Chlorine gains one electron to achieve a stable noble gas configuration, forming an anion with a charge of -1.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking chlorine loses electrons, but in reality, it gains an electron to form a stable ion.
Sources
- How many electrons will chlorine gain or lose when it forms an ion? - homework.study.com
- 3.2: Ions and the Octet Rule - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
- Ionic Compounds | manoa.hawaii.edu/ExploringOurFluidEarth - manoa.hawaii.edu