Consider an ion with 17 protons and 18 electrons. What is the charge of this ion?

• A. -1
• B. +1
• C. 0
• D. +2

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the number of protons and electrons in the ion. Here, the ion has 17 protons and 18 electrons.
2. Recall that the charge of an ion is determined by the difference between the number of protons (positive charges) and electrons (negative charges).
3. Use the formula for charge: \(\text{Charge} = \text{Number of protons} - \text{Number of electrons}\).
4. Substitute the given values into the formula: \(\text{Charge} = 17 - 18\).
5. Interpret the result: if the charge is negative, the ion has gained electrons and is an anion; if positive, it has lost electrons and is a cation.