Using the periodic table, predict the charge of the most stable ion of the following elements: (e) Sb.

Key Concepts

Periodic Table and Group Trends

The periodic table organizes elements by increasing atomic number and groups them based on similar chemical properties. Elements in the same group typically exhibit similar valence electron configurations, which influence their ionization behavior. For example, elements in Group 15, like antimony (Sb), tend to gain or lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, often resembling the nearest noble gas.

Ion Formation and Charge

Ions are charged particles formed when atoms gain or lose electrons. The charge of an ion is determined by the difference between the number of protons and electrons. For antimony, which has five valence electrons, it can either gain three electrons to form a stable anion with a charge of -3 or lose five electrons to form a cation with a charge of +5, depending on the stability of the resulting configuration.

Stability of Ions

The stability of an ion is influenced by its electron configuration and the energy associated with gaining or losing electrons. Generally, ions that achieve a noble gas configuration are more stable. For antimony, the most stable ion is typically the one that minimizes energy, which is often the -3 charge, as it allows the element to achieve a full octet by gaining three electrons.