How do positive and negative ions form?

1 Answer
Jun 3, 2018

See below.

Explanation:

They form through Ionic bonding.

Elements gain or lose electrons to form ions and to gain full outer shells.

For example, let's look at Lithium and Fluorine:

Lithium has 3 electrons, so it needs to lose one to gain a full outer shell.

Fluorine would gain this electron to have 10 electrons, giving it 2 full outer shells.

The Lithium atom would turn into an Li^+ ion with an electronic configuration of 2, as an electron has a negative charge, losing one would give a positive charge.

The Fluorine atom would change to a F^- ion with an electronic configuration of 2,8 as it gains a negatively charged subatomic particle, so it turns negative as the atom of an element always has a charge of 0.

This would form lithium fluoride as a result of this ionic bonding.