Multiple Choice
Sulfur can form ions with a -2 charge. Is this ion classified as a cation or an anion?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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If an unknown monatomic ion has a 3- charge and contains 10 electrons, what is the identity of the ion?
A
Ne
B
O^{2-}
C
N^{3-}
D
F^{-}
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the charge on an ion is given by the difference between the number of protons (atomic number) and the number of electrons: $\text{Charge} = \text{Protons} - \text{Electrons}$.
Given the ion has a 3- charge, this means it has 3 more electrons than protons: $\text{Electrons} = \text{Protons} + 3$.
We are told the ion contains 10 electrons, so set up the equation: $10 = \text{Protons} + 3$.
Solve for the number of protons: $\text{Protons} = 10 - 3$.
Use the number of protons to identify the element by its atomic number on the periodic table, then write the ion symbol with the 3- charge.
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