Element X forms ions with a charge of 1+. All of the following are likely to occur except

Element X will tend to lose one electron.

Element X will tend to gain one electron.

Elements in the same group with Element X will behave similarly.

Elements in the same column with Element X will form similar compounds.

Question

Element X forms ions with a charge of 1+. All of the following are likely to occur except

 Element X will tend to lose one electron.

 Element X will tend to gain one electron.

 Elements in the same group with Element X will behave similarly.

 Elements in the same column with Element X will form similar compounds.

anonymous · Answer

How would I figure this out?

aaronq · Answer

it has to do with valence electrons. All (small) atoms want 8 electrons around them because it makes then stable (i.e. unreactive, lowest potential energy). Group 1 elements (e.g. Li, Na, K) have 1 valence electron, so it's efficient for them to lose the 1 electron, opposed to gaining 7. 

So it can be generalized that group 1 elements become 1+ ions, and group 2 elements become 2+ ions.

(recall that electrons are negatively charged, thus losing an electron implies gaining a positive charge).

anonymous · Answer

Okay, so I believe it is B. because that will not benefit Element X, right?

aaronq · Answer

close. it will tend to $lose$ an electron because electrons are negatively charged. So removing one makes them positive.

aaronq · Answer

the answer would be A