Multiple Choice
What is the most common charge on a cobalt ion in the compound CoCl2?
3
views
2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
Struggling with General Chemistry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
What is the charge of the ammonium ion (NH_4)?
A
0
B
+1
C
+2
D
-1
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the ammonium ion is represented as $\mathrm{NH_4^+}$, which means it is a polyatomic ion composed of one nitrogen atom and four hydrogen atoms.
Understand that nitrogen typically has 5 valence electrons, and each hydrogen has 1 valence electron, so the total number of valence electrons before ion formation is $5 + 4 \times 1 = 9$ electrons.
Recognize that the ammonium ion carries a positive charge, which means it has lost one electron compared to the neutral combination of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms.
Therefore, the overall charge of the ammonium ion is $+1$, indicating it has one fewer electron than the total number of protons in the atoms combined.
Conclude that the charge of the ammonium ion $\mathrm{NH_4}$ is $+1$, which is why it is written as $\mathrm{NH_4^+}$.
Related Videos
Related Practice
