2.

1 – Why elements react to form compounds

1. Why do elements react together? How does this happen?

Ans. Atoms are stable when the outermost shell is completely full of electrons
They do not react to form compounds as they have their energy level is full
(group 8 elements/noble gases).
The groups which do not have full outer shell of electrons react to form
compounds, to fill the outermost electron shells with electrons. The elements
are held together by chemical bonds, which are formed in two ways:
- The atoms can gain or lose electrons
- Atoms can share electrons

2. What is an ionic bond? Explain with an example.

Ans. Ionic bonds are formed between two or more atoms by the transfer of
one or more electrons between atoms. Ionic bonds form only between metals
and nonmetals. That's because metals “want” to give up electrons, and
nonmetals “want” to gain electrons, to fill the outermost electronic shell.

Eg. Sodium atom combines with Chlorine atom, the Sodium atom loses one
electron and becomes Sodium ion (Na+) whereas the Chlorine atom gains one
electron and becomes a Chlorine ion (Cl-).

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4. Potassium is more reactive than Lithium. Why?
Ans. Potassium can lose an electron more easily because the outer electron is a
long way from the nucleus and the positive electrostatic charges on the
protons, so it is easier for the electron to escape from the potassium atom.
The outer electron in the lithium atom is closer to the positive electrostatic
forces, so it is more difficult for it to escape.

5. Fluorine is more reactive than Chlorine. Why?

Ans. Fluorine is more reactive than chlorine because it can gain an electron
more easily. The outer shell of electrons is further from the electrostatic
charges between the electrons and the protons.

6. Draw the electronic structure of a Potassium ion.

Potassium atom(K): 2, 8, 8, 1 Potassium ion (K+): 2, 8, 8

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7. Draw the electronic structure of a Fluorine ion.
Fluorine atom (F): 2,7 Fluorine ion (F-): 2, 8

8. How the structure of Calcium atom is different from a Calcium ion.

9. What is a covalent bond? Explain with an example.

Ans. covalent bond is a chemical bond that involves the sharing of electrons to
form electron pairs between atoms. This type of bonding occurs between two
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atoms of the same element or of elements close to each other in the periodic
table. This bonding occurs mostly between nonmetals.
Eg: When Hydrogen and Chlorine react to form Hydrogen chloride.

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