Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Noble Gas Configuration
Noble gas configuration refers to the electron arrangement of noble gases, which have full outer electron shells, making them stable and unreactive. Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve this stable configuration, typically resembling that of the nearest noble gas in the periodic table.
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Electron Affinity
Electron affinity is the energy change that occurs when an atom gains an electron. Elements with high electron affinity, like chlorine, are more likely to gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, often resulting in the formation of negative ions.
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Periodic Table Trends
Periodic table trends refer to the predictable patterns observed in the properties of elements, such as electronegativity, ionization energy, and electron affinity. Understanding these trends helps in predicting how many electrons an element will gain or lose to achieve a noble gas configuration, particularly for nonmetals like chlorine.
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