Question

The number of electrons in an ion with 16 protons and an ionic charge of 2- is ________.

A) 24
B) 16
C) 18
D) 20
E) 22

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

USUALLY atoms have the same number of electrons ( - charge) as protons (+ charge) .....they balance each other....so this atom SHOULD have 16 electrons BUT it has a 2- charge meaning two electrons have been added so 18 electrons

Answer 2

The ion with 16 protons and a charge of 2- has 18 electrons; the additional two electrons are due to the negative charge, making 18 the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number of electrons in an ion with 16 protons and an ionic charge of 2- is 18. This can be determined by understanding that the number of protons in an atom (known as the atomic number, or Z) is equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom. However, when an atom becomes an ion with a charge of 2-, it means it has gained 2 additional electrons. Therefore, the calculation would be Z + 2 = 16 + 2, giving us a total of 18 electrons in the ion. The correct answer is C) 18.