What is the correct characteristic of nonmetals?
A)They have low electron affinities (so they commonly form anions).
B)They have low ionization energies (so they commonly form cations).
C)They form ionic compounds with chlorine (metal chlorides).
D)They form basic,ionic compounds with oxygen (metal oxides).
E)They have high electron affinities (so they commonly form anions).

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Nonmetals have high electron affinities, meaning they have a strong tendency to gain electrons and form anions. This is due to their high electronegativity and the fact that nonmetals have a nearly full valence shell, making it energetically favorable to gain an electron and achieve a stable octet.

What Is the Correct Characteristic of Nonmetals