- Atom X (6 valence electrons) tends to accept 2 electrons to reach a stable octet.
- Atom Y (2 valence electrons) tends to donate 2 electrons to achieve stability.
- Atom Z (8 valence electrons) is already stable (inert) and does not actively gain or lose electrons.
- Atom X will accept electrons from Atom Y is the only statement consistent with these chemical tendencies. The final answer is \(\boxed{\text{Atom X will accept electrons from Atom Y}}\).
Explanation
- Analyzing Chemical Tendencies based on Valence Electrons
To determine which statement is best supported by the provided table, we must analyze the chemical tendencies of atoms based on their valence electrons. Atoms strive to achieve a stable outer shell, typically consisting of 8 electrons, known as the octet rule. Atoms with few valence electrons, like those in the first few groups, generally tend to donate electrons, while atoms with nearly 8 valence electrons generally tend to accept electrons to complete their shell. Atoms already possessing 8 valence electrons are considered stable and chemically inert.
- Evaluating Individual Atom Behaviors
Based on the data, Atom X has 6 valence electrons. To reach a stable octet (8 electrons), it requires 2 more electrons, so it acts as an electron acceptor. Atom Y has 2 valence electrons; it can easily lose these two electrons to reach a stable state, making it an electron donor. Atom Z has 8 valence electrons, which corresponds to a full, stable outer shell; therefore, it is chemically inert or stable and unlikely to donate or accept electrons.
- Evaluating the Statements
Now we evaluate the given statements:
- 'Atom X will donate electrons to Atom Y': Incorrect, as X needs to accept electrons, not donate them.
- 'Atom X will accept electrons from Atom Y': Correct, as Atom Y is prone to donating its 2 valence electrons, and Atom X is prone to accepting those 2 electrons to complete its octet.
- 'Atom Y will accept electrons from Atom Z': Incorrect, as Atom Z is stable and inert, and Atom Y is a donor.
- 'Atom Z will donate electrons to Atom X': Incorrect, as Atom Z is already stable.
Therefore, the statement supported by the chart is that Atom X will accept electrons from Atom Y.
Examples
In chemistry, the formation of ionic bonds is a perfect real-life example of these interactions. For instance, consider the interaction between Magnesium (Mg, which has 2 valence electrons like Atom Y) and Oxygen (O, which has 6 valence electrons like Atom X). Magnesium donates its 2 valence electrons to Oxygen to form a stable Magnesium Oxide compound (MgO). This process explains why certain elements react together to form new substances while others, like Neon (a noble gas with 8 valence electrons like Atom Z), remain unreactive. Understanding these electron configurations is fundamental to predicting chemical reactions.