Question

Chlorine has seven electrons in its valence shell. It accepts an electron to complete its octet and becomes a chlorine ion (Cl-). What is the nature of this chlorine ion?

Answer 1

Chlorine atoms have seven electrons in their outer valence shell. The acceptance of a further electron completes the shell and leads to it having a negative nature. An atom with a net charge is known as an ion. Ions can bind with those of opposite charge to form molecules. An example is sodium chloride, where sodium is positive and chlorine is negative.

Answer 2

As stated in the given, chlorine ion is formed when the neutral atom which only has seven electrons in its valence shell, accepts additional electron. The nature therefore of a chlorine ion apart from being negatively charged is that it will take electron from the bonds or share electron when covalent bonding is done.