Question

What element would rubidium look like if it lost an electron?

a) Rb⁺
b) Rb⁻
c) Rb²+
d) Rb²-

Answer 1

Rubidium would form a Rb+ ion upon losing an electron, due to it being an alkali metal with a single valence electron in its outer shell.

Step-by-step explanation:

If rubidium (Rb) loses an electron, it would become a Rb+ ion. This is because when an atom loses an electron, it loses a negative charge and becomes positively charged. Looking at the periodic table and understanding that rubidium is an alkali metal, we know that these elements typically form +1 cations when they lose an electron due to their single valence electron in the outermost shell. Ions are denoted by the element symbol followed by the charge as a superscript. Therefore, when rubidium loses one electron, it forms Rb+.