How do metals react with non-metals?

Metals react with non-metals to form ionic compounds through a process called ionic bonding.

In a more detailed explanation, metals and non-metals react with each other in a process known as ionic bonding. This is a type of chemical bonding that involves the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. These ions are atoms that have lost or gained electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.

Metals, which are electropositive, tend to lose electrons during this process, forming positively charged ions known as cations. On the other hand, non-metals, which are electronegative, tend to gain these lost electrons, forming negatively charged ions known as anions. This transfer of electrons from the metal to the non-metal allows both to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to that of the nearest noble gas.

For example, consider the reaction between sodium (a metal) and chlorine (a non-metal). Sodium loses one electron to achieve the electron configuration of neon, a noble gas. This lost electron is gained by chlorine, allowing it to achieve the electron configuration of argon, another noble gas. The resulting product is sodium chloride, an ionic compound.

The formation of these ionic compounds is usually exothermic, meaning they release energy in the form of heat. This is because the formation of ionic bonds is a stable and lower-energy state compared to the separate atoms. The energy released during this process is known as the lattice energy.

In summary, the reaction between metals and non-metals involves the transfer of electrons from the metal to the non-metal, forming ionic compounds. This process, known as ionic bonding, allows both the metal and non-metal to achieve a stable electron configuration.