Question
Non-metal atoms become negatively charged ions by... ing electrons gaining protons losing electrons gaining elect
Answer
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(173 Votes)
Quentin
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
Non-metal atoms become negatively charged ions by gaining electrons.
Explanation
Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge. The charge of an atom is determined by the balance between the number of protons and electrons. If an atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, it is neutral.Non-metal atoms become negatively charged ions, known as anions, through the process of gaining electrons. When a non-metal atom gains one or more electrons, the number of negatively charged electrons exceeds the number of positively charged protons. This imbalance results in a negative charge on the atom, transforming it into an anion. Gaining protons would actually change the element itself because the number of protons in an atom's nucleus defines the element. Losing electrons, on the other hand, would make an atom positively charged, not negatively. Therefore, the correct process for non-metal atoms to become negatively charged ions is by gaining electrons.