Question

What are atoms that gain electrons and have a negative charge?

Answer 1

`"Oxidizing agents.............."`

Explanation:

Oxygen and fluorine are excellent oxidizing agents and tend to gain electrons...........i.e.

`1/2F_2 + e^(-) rarr F^-`

`1/2O_2 + 2e^(-) rarr O^(2-)`

Because both of these species lie to the right of the Period as we face the Table, they have a large (unshielded) nuclear charge that explains their tendency to oxidize.