When a metal combines with a non- metal atom, the nonmetal atom will

Options

A. loses electrons and decrease in size
B. loses electrons and increase in size
C. gains electrons and decrease in size
D. gains electrons and increase in size

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Metal and Non-Metal Behavior:**
- Metals are electropositive, meaning they tend to lose electrons easily. When a metal atom loses electrons, it forms a positively charged ion known as a cation.
- Non-metals are electronegative, meaning they tend to gain electrons. When a non-metal atom gains electrons, it forms a negatively charged ion known as an anion.

2. **Formation of Ions:**
- When a metal combines with a non-metal, the metal donates one or more of its electrons to the non-metal.
- The metal atom becomes a cation (positively charged ion), and the non-metal atom becomes an anion (negatively charged ion).

3. **Size Changes:**
- The size of the cation is smaller than the original metal atom because it has lost one or more electrons, resulting in a reduced electron cloud.
- The size of the anion is larger than the original non-metal atom because it has gained one or more electrons, resulting in an increased electron cloud.

4. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, when a metal combines with a non-metal, the non-metal atom will gain electrons and increase in size.

5. **Final Answer:**
- The non-metal atom will gain electrons and increase in size.