Multiple Choice
When a Mg^{2+} ion becomes a Mg atom, the radius increases because the Mg^{2+} ion:
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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When calcium (Ca) forms an ion, does it gain or lose electrons, and what is the resulting charge?
A
Calcium gains one electron to form Ca^{1-}
B
Calcium loses one electron to form Ca^{1+}
C
Calcium gains two electrons to form Ca^{2-}
D
Calcium loses two electrons to form Ca^{2+}
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that calcium (Ca) is an alkaline earth metal located in Group 2 of the periodic table, which means it typically forms ions by losing electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.
Determine the number of valence electrons in a neutral calcium atom. Calcium has 2 valence electrons in its outermost shell.
Understand that metals tend to lose electrons to form positively charged ions (cations), and calcium will lose its 2 valence electrons to reach the electron configuration of the nearest noble gas.
Write the ion formation process: when calcium loses 2 electrons, it forms the ion $\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}$, indicating a charge of +2 due to the loss of negatively charged electrons.
Conclude that calcium does not gain electrons to form negative ions; instead, it loses two electrons to form the $\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}$ ion.
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