Question

When non metals form ions what ions do they tend to form?

Answer 1

In chemical reactions, nonmetals generally gain electrons to form negatively charged ions called anions, achieving a stable electronic state like the next noble gas.

Step-by-step explanation:

When nonmetals form ions, they typically gain electrons to form negatively charged ions known as anions. This process results in nonmetals achieving a stable electronic configuration that is similar to the one of the next noble gas in the periodic table.

Nonmetals, particularly those in groups 16 and 17, and to a lesser extent those in Group 15, have a high electronegativity which drives them to gain electrons and form anions such as the chloride ion (Cl-), the nitride ion (N3-), and the selenide ion (Se2-). Unlike metals that typically lose electrons to form cations, nonmetals do not form monatomic positive ions (cations) in normal chemical processes due to their high ionization energies.

Answer 2

Non-metals have a larger number of outer electrons called valence electrons. Therefore, it is easier for them to "steal" valance electrons from other elements with fewer valence electrons(usually metals)

For example, Chlorine(Cl) has 7 ve-. When forming an ion it will steal one electron from a metal. and gain a charge of -1. Because the ion is NEGATIVELY charged, it will be called an anion.

Nonmetals form anions.

Vocab:
cation: Paws-itively charged ions (get it? because its a CAT ion?)
anion: negatively charged ions