Answer:
Explanation:
Indeed, in virtue of their electron configuration, metals can react with nonmetals by the former donating one or more electrons, from their valence electron shell, which the latter can accept.
The reaction in which a metal loses electrons and forms a positive ion (cation), while a nonmetal gains those electrons and forms a negative ion (anion) is the formation of a ionic compound, which is a chemical reaction.
The chemical reactions happen in virtue of sharing, accepting or donating electrons, mainly from the valence electron shells of the atoms. Protons and neutrons are not exchanged, loss or gained in chemical reactions. Ā The reactions in which protons and neutrons can take part are nuclear reations (not chemical reactions).
Potassium (Z = 19) has one valence electron, so it can lose it to form the cation Kāŗ, with one positive charge; while sulfur (Z = 16) has 6 valence eletrons, making it possible for it gaining two electrons to form the anion SĀ²ā».
Then, each SĀ²ā» ion can combine with two Kāŗ ions to form the ionic compound, KāS, potassium sulfide. See that two potassium atoms combine with one sulfur atom to form one unit of the ionic compound.
