What is the charge of elements in group VIIA?

Elements in group VIIA, also known as group 17 of the periodic table, typically have a charge of -1 when they form ions. This group includes the halogens, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine.

The reason these elements commonly carry a -1 charge is that they have seven electrons in their outermost valence shell. By gaining one more electron, they can achieve a stable octet configuration, which is energetically favorable. This process of gaining an electron allows them to become negatively charged ions, or anions.

In contrast, the other choices represent charges that are not characteristic of the halogens. Group VIIA elements do not tend to lose electrons (which would result in positive charges) nor do they remain neutral or take on a positive charge of +2. Therefore, the -1 charge is the correct understanding of the ionic behavior of elements in this group.