Give reasons for the following: a] Metals have a tendency to form cations. b] Fluorine atom is smaller than chlorine atom. c] Non-metals have a tendency to gain electrons.

Give reasons for the following: a] Metals have a tendency to form cat

1.	Give reasons for the following: a] Metals have a tendency to form cations. b] Fluorine atom is smaller than chlorine atom. c] Non-metals have a tendency to gain electrons.
Answer» Solution :a) Since metals have 1-3 valence electrons, it is easier to lose and attain a noble gas configuration rather than gain electrons. HENCE, they tend to form cations. b] Fluorine atom has only two electron shells while chlorine atom has three. Thus, Fluorine atom is SMALLER. c] Non-metals have 5-8 valence electrons (EXCEPT carbon which has 4 valence electrons). It is easier for them to gain additional electrons and attain noble gas configuration while bonding rather than lose electrons. Hence, NONMETALS tend to gain electrons.