Multiple Choice
Which of the following pairs of ions have the same total number of electrons?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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Which of the following best describes a cation and its typical location on the periodic table?
A
A cation is a negatively charged ion, commonly formed by elements on the right side of the periodic table.
B
A cation is a positively charged ion, commonly formed by elements in the noble gases group.
C
A cation is a neutral atom, found in the center of the periodic table.
D
A cation is a positively charged ion, commonly formed by elements on the left side of the periodic table.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand what a cation is. A cation is an ion with a positive charge, which means it has lost one or more electrons.
Step 2: Recall that elements on the left side of the periodic table (such as alkali metals and alkaline earth metals) tend to lose electrons easily to form cations.
Step 3: Recognize that elements on the right side of the periodic table (nonmetals) tend to gain electrons to form anions, which are negatively charged ions.
Step 4: Note that noble gases are generally inert and do not commonly form ions, so they are not typical sources of cations.
Step 5: Conclude that the best description of a cation is a positively charged ion, commonly formed by elements on the left side of the periodic table.
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