Question

An ion has a 3- charge and 18 electrons. What is the identity of the element?

Answer 1

The identity of the element with a 3- charge and 18 electrons is aluminum (Al).

Step-by-step explanation:

The element with a 3- charge and 18 electrons is aluminum (Al). When an atom forms an ion, the number of protons remains unchanged. Therefore, since the ion has a 3- charge, the atomic number of the element must be 13. The Al atom has lost three electrons, resulting in three more positive charges (13) than it has electrons (10).

Answer 2

Answer: The given element is phosphorus.

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given:

Number of electron in an ion = 18 electrons

Charge on the ion = -3

Atomic number is defined as the number of protons or electrons that are present in a neutral atom.

Atomic number = number of protons = number of electrons

An ion is formed when an atom looses or gains electron.

• When an atom looses electrons, it will form a positive ion known as cation.
• When an atom gains electrons, it will form a negative ion known as anion.

To calculate the atomic number for the given anion, we use the equation:

Number of electrons in a neutral atom = Number of electrons in an ion + charge

Number of electrons in a neutral atom = 18 - 3 = 15

Hence, the given element is phosphorus.