AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Nonmetals form negative ions (anions). A nitrogen atom must gain three electrons to have the same number of electrons as an atom of the following noble gas, neon. Thus, a nitrogen atom will form an anion with three more electrons than protons and a charge of 3−.

Detailed explanation-2: -Nonmetals tend to form negative (-charged) ions because they have a higher number of valence electrons so they tend to gain electrons easily. This means that ionic bonds usually form between a metal and a nonmetal.

Detailed explanation-3: -Anions are ions that are negatively charged. Ions are charged atoms or molecules. If a balanced atom loses one or more electrons, it will become a positively charged cation. If a balanced atom gains one or more electrons, it will become a negatively charged anion.

Detailed explanation-4: -Negative ions are formed by ion–molecule reactions between sample and reagent gas ions. Such reactions include proton transfer, charge exchange, nucleophilic addition, or nucleophilic displacement.