Question

How does an atom of potassium-41 become a potassium ion with a +1 charge? 19 K 39.10

A. The atom gains 1 proton, to make a total of 20.
B. The atom loses 1 electron, to make a total of 18.
C. The atom gains 1 proton, to make a total of 42.
D. The atom loses 1 electron, to make a total of 21.

Answer 1

B. The atom loses 1 electron, to make a total of 18.

Step-by-step explanation:

Since proton lies inside the nucleus of the atom so it is bounded strongly by the nuclear forces

So it is very difficult to charge an atom by transfer of protons as it need to work against nuclear forces

But electrons orbit around the nucleus in different energy state so all those electrons which are lying at the outermost orbit is loosely bound and hence it is easy to remove that electron.

Since potassium ion has atomic number 19

so for a neutral ion it has 19 electrons and 19 protons in it

now in order to make it a charge of +1

so we can remove one electron from it so that it has 19 protons and 18 electrons it so due to which it will have +1 charge on it

so correct answer will be

B. The atom loses 1 electron, to make a total of 18.

Answer 2

It is very difficult for an atom to accept a proton. It can only be done under very special circumstances. So A and C are both incorrect. I don't see how D is possible. The atom does lose 1 electron, but how it gets 21 is think air.

The answer is B which is exactly what happens.