Question #f22bd

1 Answer
Jan 7, 2017

Electrons transfer to the more electronegative atom in this case, but both ions formed have noble gas configuration.

Explanation:

In an ionic compound, the more electronegative atom will gain the electron from the less electronegative atom, but as a result, both ions formed will have the noble gas electron configuration.

Here is an example:

sodium, Na: #1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1#

chlorine, Cl: #1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5#

After transfer of an electron to the more electronegative Cl, two ions result:

sodium, #Na^+#: #1s^2 2s^2 2p^6#

chloride, #Cl^-#: #1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^6#

Both ions have #s^2 p^6# outer electrons.