Question

Predict the charge of the ion formed by each element and write the electron configuration of the ion.

a. Mg
b. N
c. F
d. Na

Answer 1

Mg forms a cation with a charge of 2+ and an electron configuration of 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6. N forms an anion with a charge of 3- and an electron configuration of 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6. F forms an anion with a charge of 1- and an electron configuration of 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6. Na forms a cation with a charge of 1+ and an electron configuration of 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6.

Step-by-step explanation:

From the element's position on the periodic table, we can predict the charge of the ion formed by each element and write the electron configuration of the ion.

1. Mg: Magnesium is a metal in Group 2, so it forms positive ions (cations). It loses two electrons to have the same electron configuration as neon, and its ion has a charge of 2+. The electron configuration of Mg2+ is 1s2 2s2 2p6.
2. N: Nitrogen is a nonmetal in Group 15, so it forms negative ions (anions). It gains three electrons to have the same electron configuration as the nearest noble gas, neon. Its ion has a charge of 3-. The electron configuration of N3- is 1s2 2s2 2p6.
3. F: Fluorine is a nonmetal in Group 17, so it also forms negative ions (anions). It gains one electron to have the same electron configuration as the nearest noble gas, neon. Its ion has a charge of 1-. The electron configuration of F- is 1s2 2s2 2p6.
4. Na: Sodium is a metal in Group 1, so it forms positive ions (cations). It loses one electron to have the same electron configuration as the nearest noble gas, neon. Its ion has a charge of 1+. The electron configuration of Na+ is 1s2 2s2 2p6.