Multiple Choice
How many protons (p) and electrons (e) are found in a Sc^{3+} ion?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
When an atom loses a negatively-charged electron, it becomes a(n):
A
anion
B
neutral atom
C
cation
D
isotope
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that an electron carries a negative charge, so when an atom loses an electron, it loses negative charge.
Since the atom loses negative charge but the number of protons (positive charge) remains the same, the overall charge of the atom becomes positive.
An atom with a positive charge is called a cation.
An anion is an atom that has gained electrons and thus has a negative charge, so it does not apply here.
A neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons, and an isotope refers to atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, so neither term fits the situation.
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