Textbook Question
Predict the charge of the ion formed by each element. a. O b. K c. Al d. Rb
2. Atoms & Elements
Periodic Table: Charges
Struggling with General Chemistry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which of the following elements is most likely to form a +2 ion?
A
Cl
B
Mg
C
Al
D
Na
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the elements given: Cl (Chlorine), Mg (Magnesium), Al (Aluminum), and Na (Sodium).
Recall that the charge of an ion formed by an element is related to its position in the periodic table, specifically its group number.
Magnesium (Mg) is in Group 2 of the periodic table, which means it tends to lose two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, forming a +2 ion.
Chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal in Group 17 and typically gains one electron to form a -1 ion, not a +2 ion.
Aluminum (Al) is in Group 13 and commonly forms a +3 ion, while Sodium (Na) is in Group 1 and typically forms a +1 ion.
Related Videos
Related Practice
Periodic Table: Charges practice set
Problem sets built by lead tutorsExpert video explanations