Question

1. a user is constructing an ionic bond between beryllium and chlorine and has reached the stage below. what should the user do next?

transfer an electron from the beryllium atom to the chlorine atom.
transfer an electron from the chlorine atom to the beryllium atom.
add another beryllium atom.
add another chlorine atom

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the valence electrons of beryllium and chlorine

Beryllium (Be) has 2 valence electrons. Chlorine (Cl) has 7 valence electrons. In ionic bond formation, metals (like Be) tend to lose electrons and non - metals (like Cl) tend to gain electrons. One Be atom can transfer its 2 electrons. But each Cl atom needs 1 electron to complete its octet (8 valence electrons).

Step2: Determine the number of chlorine atoms needed

Since one Be atom has 2 electrons to transfer and each Cl atom needs 1 electron, we need 2 Cl atoms. The user has only 1 Cl atom shown.

Answer:

Add another chlorine atom.