Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct symbol for the ion with 19 protons and 18 electrons?
39
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
When forming ions, does calcium (Ca) lose or gain electrons?
A
Calcium neither loses nor gains electrons.
B
Calcium shares electrons to form a neutral ion.
C
Calcium gains electrons to form an anion.
D
Calcium loses electrons to form a cation.
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that calcium (Ca) is an element in Group 2 of the periodic table, also known as the alkaline earth metals.
Elements in Group 2 typically have two electrons in their outermost shell (valence electrons).
When forming ions, these elements tend to lose their valence electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to the nearest noble gas.
Losing two electrons results in a positively charged ion (cation) with a charge of +2, written as Ca^{2+}.
Therefore, calcium loses electrons to form a cation rather than gaining electrons or sharing them.
Related Videos
Related Practice
