Multiple Choice
What is the charge of an ion that has 8 protons and 10 electrons?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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How many magnesium ions (Mg^{2+}) are required to combine with two chloride ions (Cl^-) to form a neutral ionic compound?
A
Four
B
Three
C
Two
D
One
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the charges on the ions involved: magnesium ion (Mg^{2+}) has a charge of +2, and chloride ion (Cl^-) has a charge of -1.
Determine the total negative charge contributed by two chloride ions: since each Cl^- has a charge of -1, two Cl^- ions contribute a total charge of 2 \times (-1) = -2.
To form a neutral ionic compound, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge. Therefore, the total positive charge must be +2 to balance the -2 from the chloride ions.
Since each magnesium ion has a charge of +2, only one Mg^{2+} ion is needed to balance the charge from two Cl^- ions.
Conclude that one Mg^{2+} ion combines with two Cl^- ions to form a neutral compound, which corresponds to the formula MgCl_2.
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