What charge do non-metals generally carry?

Non-metals generally carry a negative charge when they form ions. This is because non-metals tend to gain electrons to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, following the octet rule. For example, elements such as chlorine and oxygen, when they form negatively charged ions (anions), do so by gaining electrons, resulting in a charge of -1 for chloride ions and -2 for oxide ions.

In contrast to metals, which typically lose electrons and form positively charged ions (cations), non-metals exhibit this tendency to gain electrons due to their higher electronegativity. This property means they attract electrons more strongly than metals, leading to the formation of negatively charged ions.

While some non-metals can exhibit variable charges in certain compounds, in the context of ionic compounds, they are primarily seen as carrying a negative charge when they form ions. Thus, the correct understanding of the behavior of non-metals in forming ions supports the conclusion that they usually carry a negative charge.