Q66P

Question

The monatomic ions of Groups 1A(1) and 7A(17) are all singly charged. In what major way do they differ? Why?

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

The Group 1A(1)  metals generate monocations, and the Group  7A(17)  nonmetals generate mono-anions.

1Step1: Write the elements in Group 1A(1) and Group 7A(17)

The elements in Group 1A(1)  are metal while the elements in Group   7A(17)  are non-metals. Group  1A(1)  elements are lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). These are also called alkali metals. Group  7A(17)  elements are fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At). These are commonly known as halogens.

2Step 2: Formation of ions.

The elements in Group 1A(1)  always form monoatomic cations by losing their single valence electron, resulting in the generation of a single positive charge on them (for exampleLi+, ) while the elements of Group  7A(17)  form monoatomic anions by gaining a single valence electron from their counterparts, resulting in the generation of a single negative charge on them (for example, F).