Using the Octet rule, which of these elements will gain or lose electrons to become ions

And how many electrons will be involved in each case:

a) sodium

b) fluorine

c) calcium

d) nitrogen

e) oxygen

(I just want to know how you did it) Thank you !

a) Na loses 1 to form Na+

b) F gains 1 to form F-

c) Ca loses 2 to form Ca2+

d) N gains 3 to form N3-

e) O gains 2 to form O2-


Just look at the number of valence electrons in each atom to determine if they lose or gain electrons. Generally, if there are less than 4, they will lose the electrons to obtain stable electronic configuration. If there are more than 4, they will gain. Generally, metal atoms lose while non-metal atoms gain.

Hope this helps.