Predict a simple reaction from the outer electrons
Grade 10 Science Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.
Sulfur is in group 16. How many electrons does one sulfur atom gain to reach eight outer electrons, Ari?
Nitrogen is in group 15. How many electrons does one nitrogen atom gain to reach eight outer electrons, Bo?
Chlorine is in group 17. How many electrons does one chlorine atom gain to reach eight outer electrons, Esme?
Aluminum is in group 13. Which ion is it predicted to form, Jun?
- Al¹³⁺, copying the group number
- Al³⁻, after gaining 3 electrons
- Al³⁺, after losing its 3 outer electrons
Sulfur is in group 16. Which ion is it predicted to form, Kira?
- S²⁺, after losing 2 electrons from its outer shell
- S²⁻, after gaining 2 electrons to reach eight
- S⁶⁻, gaining its 6 outer electrons again
Fluorine and iodine each gain 1 electron. Which pulls in an electron more strongly, Noah?
- Fluorine: its outer shell is closest to the nucleus, so the pull is strongest
- Both pull equally, since each needs exactly 1 electron
- Iodine: it has more electrons, so it pulls a new one in harder
Sodium reacts with chlorine in a 1 to 1 pattern. Which other element should react with chlorine the same way, Pia?
- Aluminum, the next metal along the same row
- Magnesium, which sits right beside sodium in the same row
- Potassium, which also has 1 outer electron
Potassium (group 1) combines with sulfur (group 16). Which formula is predicted, Ren?
- KS, because one of each pairs them
- KS₂, because the subscripts swap places
- K₂S, because two K⁺ cancel one S²⁻
Calcium (group 2) combines with chlorine (group 17). Which formula is predicted, Tala?
- CaCl₂, because one Ca²⁺ needs two Cl⁻
- CaCl, because one of each pairs them
- Ca₂Cl, because the subscripts swap places
Lithium (group 1) combines with oxygen (group 16). Which formula is predicted, Zee?
- Li₂O, because two Li⁺ cancel one O²⁻
- LiO, because one of each pairs them
- LiO₂, because the subscripts swap places