An ion has a net charge of 3+. If this ion has 8 protons, how many electrons does it have?

• A. 3
• B. 11
• C. 8
• D. 5

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the net charge of an ion is determined by the difference between the number of protons (positively charged) and electrons (negatively charged). The formula for net charge is: \(\text{Net charge} = \text{Number of protons} - \text{Number of electrons}\).
2. Identify the given values: the ion has a net charge of \$3+\(, which means the net charge is \)+3$, and the number of protons is 8.
3. Set up the equation using the known values: \(+3 = 8 - \text{Number of electrons}\).
4. Rearrange the equation to solve for the number of electrons: \(\text{Number of electrons} = 8 - 3\).
5. Calculate the number of electrons by subtracting the net charge from the number of protons to find the total electrons in the ion.