Chemical Bonds of Nonmetals

[DanielleNario1A]

Since nonmetals rarely lose electrons in chemical reactions because their ionization energies are too high, can a nonmetal atom get enough electrons to complete its valence shell and form an anion? And does that mean that would it correspond with the configuration of the next noble gas?

[anthony_trieu2L]

Nonmetals rarely lose electrons and therefore it is common for them to gain electrons and form anions, as their electronegativities are very high.

[hazelyang2E]

Yes, because nonmetals have a higher electronegativity they are more likely to attract and gain electrons in order to achieve a full octet. For example, the halogens are more likely to gain 1 electron than to lose the 7 electrons that they already have. By gaining that 1 electron, they achieve the electron configuration of the noble gases.