Write the symbol for the ion of each of the following:b. barium

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the element barium on the periodic table. Barium is in Group 2, which is the alkaline earth metals.
2. Recall that elements in Group 2 typically form ions with a +2 charge because they lose two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.
3. Write the symbol for barium, which is 'Ba'.
4. Combine the element symbol with the charge to represent the ion. Since barium loses two electrons, it forms a cation with a +2 charge.
5. The symbol for the barium ion is written as 'Ba^{2+}'.

Key Concepts

Ionic Charge

Ionic charge refers to the electrical charge that an atom or molecule carries when it gains or loses electrons. Atoms that lose electrons become positively charged ions (cations), while those that gain electrons become negatively charged ions (anions). Understanding the ionic charge is crucial for determining the correct symbol for an ion.

Barium Properties

Barium is an alkaline earth metal with the atomic number 56. It typically forms a cation with a +2 charge when it loses its two outermost electrons during chemical reactions. Recognizing the properties of barium helps in predicting its behavior and the type of ion it forms.

Chemical Symbol Notation

Chemical symbols are shorthand representations of elements and ions, consisting of one or two letters. The first letter is always capitalized, while the second, if present, is lowercase. For barium, the symbol is 'Ba', and when it forms a +2 ion, it is represented as 'Ba²⁺', indicating its ionic charge.