Question

Elements K and L have 12 and 17 protons respectively. If

Khas 24 neutrons and L has 36, in a tabular form identify
the number of protons, neutrons and electrons
possessed by the ions of the two elements.​

Answer 1

Further explanation

Given

Element K : 12 protons, 24 neutrons

Element L : 17 protons, 36 neutrons

Required

the number of protons, neutrons and electrons possessed by the ions of the two elements.​

Solution

• Element K

number of protons=atomic number = 12

electron configuration : 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s²

The element will release 2 electrons to make it stable, thus forming a cation with a +2 charge

number of protons = 12

number of electrons = 10

number of neutrons = 24

• Element L

number of protons=atomic number = 17

electron configuration : 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s²3p⁵

The element will gain 1 electrons to make it stable, thus forming a anionwith a -1 charge

number of protons = 17

number of electrons = 18

number of neutrons = 36

If we look at this problem, it looks like the numbers 24 and 36 are mass numbers, not the number of neutrons, so the possible elements are Mg and Cl, and the ions are Mg²⁺ and Cl⁻