Question

critical thinking questions

1. write the symbol (including the charge) and name for each of the ions for each of the following:

a) ca b) cl c) n d) k e) s f) b g) p

Explanation:

Step1: Recall ion formation rules

For main - group elements, metals (left of the staircase on the periodic table) tend to lose electrons to form cations, and non - metals (right of the staircase) tend to gain electrons to form anions. The number of electrons lost or gained is related to the group number.

Step2: Analyze each element

a) Calcium (Ca)

Calcium is in Group 2. It loses 2 electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. So the ion symbol is $\text{Ca}^{2 + }$, and the name is calcium ion.

b) Chlorine (Cl)

Chlorine is in Group 17 (or 7A). It gains 1 electron to achieve a stable octet. The ion symbol is $\text{Cl}^{-}$, and the name is chloride ion.

c) Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is in Group 15 (or 5A). It gains 3 electrons to achieve a stable octet. The ion symbol is $\text{N}^{3 - }$, and the name is nitride ion.

d) Potassium (K)

Potassium is in Group 1. It loses 1 electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. The ion symbol is $\text{K}^{+}$, and the name is potassium ion.

e) Sulfur (S)

Sulfur is in Group 16 (or 6A). It gains 2 electrons to achieve a stable octet. The ion symbol is $\text{S}^{2 - }$, and the name is sulfide ion.

f) Boron (B)

Boron is in Group 13 (or 3A). It can lose 3 electrons to form a cation. The ion symbol is $\text{B}^{3 + }$, and the name is boron(III) ion (or boride ion, but more commonly boron(III) ion for its + 3 oxidation state in simple ions).

g) Phosphorus (P)

Phosphorus is in Group 15 (or 5A). It gains 3 electrons to achieve a stable octet. The ion symbol is $\text{P}^{3 - }$, and the name is phosphide ion.

Answer:

a) Ion symbol: $\boldsymbol{\text{Ca}^{2+}}$, Name: calcium ion
b) Ion symbol: $\boldsymbol{\text{Cl}^{-}}$, Name: chloride ion
c) Ion symbol: $\boldsymbol{\text{N}^{3-}}$, Name: nitride ion
d) Ion symbol: $\boldsymbol{\text{K}^{+}}$, Name: potassium ion
e) Ion symbol: $\boldsymbol{\text{S}^{2-}}$, Name: sulfide ion
f) Ion symbol: $\boldsymbol{\text{B}^{3+}}$, Name: boron(III) ion (or boride ion)
g) Ion symbol: $\boldsymbol{\text{P}^{3-}}$, Name: phosphide ion