Each of the following elements is capable of forming an ion in chemical reactions. By referring to the periodic table, predict the charge of the most stable ion of each: (c) As

Key Concepts

Ion Formation

Ion formation occurs when an atom gains or loses electrons, resulting in a charged particle. Metals typically lose electrons to form cations, while nonmetals gain electrons to form anions. The charge of the ion is determined by the number of electrons lost or gained relative to the neutral atom.

Periodic Table Trends

The periodic table displays trends in atomic properties, including electronegativity, ionization energy, and atomic radius. Elements in the same group often exhibit similar behaviors in ion formation. For example, elements on the right side of the table tend to gain electrons, while those on the left tend to lose them, influencing the charge of the ions they form.

Group 15 Elements

Arsenic (As) is a Group 15 element, which typically has five valence electrons. To achieve a stable electron configuration, arsenic can either gain three electrons to form a -3 anion or lose five electrons to form a +5 cation. However, the most stable ion for arsenic is usually the -3 anion, as it aligns with the tendency of nonmetals to gain electrons.