Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes what it means for two species to be isoelectronic?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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Which of the following best describes the charge of a cation and how an atom becomes a cation?
A
A cation has a neutral charge and is formed when an atom shares electrons.
B
A cation has a positive charge and is formed when an atom gains one or more protons.
C
A cation has a positive charge and is formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.
D
A cation has a negative charge and is formed when an atom gains one or more electrons.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand what a cation is. A cation is an ion with a net positive charge, meaning it has more protons than electrons.
Step 2: Recall how atoms become ions. Atoms become ions by either losing or gaining electrons, since protons in the nucleus do not change during typical chemical processes.
Step 3: Recognize that when an atom loses one or more electrons, it has fewer negatively charged particles, resulting in a net positive charge, thus forming a cation.
Step 4: Note that gaining electrons would add negative charge, forming an anion, which is the opposite of a cation.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct description is: a cation has a positive charge and is formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.
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