Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the most stable ion commonly formed by phosphorus?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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Which of the following species has the same number of protons as Fe^{3+}?
A
Mn^{2+}
B
Ni^{2+}
C
Fe^{2+}
D
Co^{3+}
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atomic number of Fe (iron), which corresponds to the number of protons in any Fe atom or ion. The atomic number of Fe is 26, so Fe^{3+} has 26 protons.
Recall that the charge on an ion (like 3+ in Fe^{3+}) indicates the loss or gain of electrons, but does not affect the number of protons. Therefore, Fe^{3+} still has 26 protons.
Check the atomic numbers of the other species given: Mn (manganese) has atomic number 25, Ni (nickel) has atomic number 28, Fe (iron) has atomic number 26, and Co (cobalt) has atomic number 27.
Compare these atomic numbers to 26 (the number of protons in Fe^{3+}) to find which species has the same number of protons. The species with atomic number 26 will have the same number of protons.
Conclude that Fe^{2+} has the same number of protons as Fe^{3+} because both are iron ions with atomic number 26, despite having different charges.
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