Chemistry 2005 JAMB Past Questions - Question 31: An element will readily form an electrovalent compound if its electron configuration is

Correct Answer

A

Explanation

An element will readily form an electrovalent (ionic) compound when it can either lose or gain electrons to achieve a stable, noble gas electron configuration. The noble gas electron configurations are typically characterized by having a full outer electron shell.

Among the options you provided, the electron configuration that is likely to readily form an electrovalent compound is "2, 8, 1." This is because the element with this electron configuration has one electron in its outermost shell, and it is more favorable for it to lose that electron and attain the stable noble gas configuration of the previous noble gas, which is helium (1s²).

So, the correct choice is "2, 8, 1."