Question

Which of the following atoms would be expected to form negative ions in binary ionic compounds and which would be expected to form positive ions:\({\rm{Br, Ca, Na, N, F, Al, Sn, S, Cd}}\)?

Short answer

The non-metals, \({\rm{Br, N, F}}\), and \({\rm{S}}\) will create anions, as well as the metals \({\rm{Ca, Na, Al, Sn}}\), and \({\rm{Cd}}\) will produce cations.

Step-by-step solution

Define Chemical Bonding

A chemical bond is a long-term attraction between atoms, ions, or molecules that allows chemical compounds to form.

Explanation

Binary ionic compounds are composed of two ions, one metal and the other non-metal.

Non-metals gain electrons to achieve noble-gas electronic configuration and so form anion, whereas metals readily lose electrons to get noble-gas electronic configuration and thus create cation.

\({\rm{Br, N, F}}\), and\({\rm{S}}\)will create anions in this question because they are non-metals.

On the other hand\({\rm{Ca, Na, Al, Sn}}\), and\({\rm{Cd}}\)will produce cations since they are metals.

Therefore, non-metals, \({\rm{Br, N, F}}\), and \({\rm{S}}\) will create anions, whereas metals \({\rm{Ca, Na, Al, Sn}}\), and \({\rm{Cd}}\) will produce cations.