Question

examine the electron configuration below. if this were an ion with a +1 charge, what ion would it be?
$1s^2 2s^2 2p^6$
a lithium
b magnesium
c sodium

Explanation:

1. First, calculate the number of electrons from the electron configuration \(1s^2 2s^2 2p^6\). The total number of electrons is \(2 + 2 + 6 = 10\).
2. Since the ion has a +1 charge, the neutral atom must have one more electron. So the number of protons (and electrons in the neutral atom) is \(10 + 1 = 11\).
3. The element with an atomic number of 11 is sodium (Na). When sodium loses one electron, it forms a \(Na^+\) ion with the given electron configuration.

Answer:

C. sodium