Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the charge of a cation and how an atom becomes a cation?
1
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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If an atom of hydrogen gives up one electron, what ion is formed?
A
H_2^+
B
H_2O^+
C
H^-
D
H^+
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the species involved: a hydrogen atom (H) consists of one proton and one electron.
Understand what happens when the hydrogen atom loses one electron: losing an electron means the atom has more protons than electrons, resulting in a positively charged ion.
Write the ion formed by removing one electron from hydrogen: since the hydrogen atom loses one electron, the ion formed is represented as $H^{+}$.
Compare the given options with the ion formed: $H_2^{+}$ is a molecular ion of hydrogen gas, $H_2O^{+}$ is a water molecule ion, and $H^{-}$ is a hydride ion (hydrogen with an extra electron).
Conclude that the correct ion formed when a hydrogen atom loses one electron is $H^{+}$, which is a proton.
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