Final answer:
Each element forms a cation when it loses its valence electrons. Aluminum becomes Al³⁺, lithium forms Li⁺, barium becomes Ba²⁺, potassium forms K⁺, calcium becomes Ca²⁺, and strontium forms Sr²⁺.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question at hand involves writing the symbols for the ions formed when various elements lose their valence electrons. When atoms form ions, they either lose electrons to become cations, which have a positive charge, or gain electrons to become anions, which have a negative charge. In the case of aluminum, lithium, barium, potassium, calcium, and strontium, they form cations by losing electrons:
- a. Aluminum loses three electrons to form the Al³⁺ ion.
- b. Lithium loses one electron to form the Li⁺ ion.
- c. Barium loses two electrons to form the Ba²⁺ ion.
- d. Potassium loses one electron to form the K⁺ ion.
- e. Calcium loses two electrons to form the Ca²⁺ion.
- f. Strontium loses two electrons to form the Sr²⁺ ion.