Question

How does formal charge affect the stability of an atom?

Answer 1

Atoms become formally charged on the basis of their relative stability...

Explanation:

Non-metals, from the right hand side of the Periodic Table, have HIGH nuclear charge and tend to be oxidizing, i.e. they accept electrons to form anions.........

`1/2F_2+e^(-) rarrF^(-)`

`1/2O_2+2e^(-) rarrO^(2-)`

On the other hand metals are electron rich materials and tend to be reducing......

`MrarrM^(2+) + 2e^(-)`............

Of course, their actual chemistry usually involves the formation of a STABLE salt, a neutral combination of positive and negative ions......