Question

The most common charge when a hydrogen atom forms an ion is:

A) -2
B) -1
C) +1
D) +2
E) Hydrogen does not form ions

Answer 1

The most common charge when a hydrogen atom forms an ion is +1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most common charge when a hydrogen atom forms an ion is +1. Hydrogen has one valence electron, which it can either lose or share with another atom. When hydrogen forms an ion, it typically loses its one valence electron, resulting in a positive charge of +1.

For example, in H2O (water), each hydrogen atom has an oxidation number of +1, while the oxygen atom has an oxidation number of -2. This demonstrates that hydrogen has a charge of +1 when it forms an ion.

It is important to note that hydrogen can also form a hydronium ion (H3O+) when it interacts with water molecules. In this case, the hydrogen atom gains an additional proton from the water, resulting in a positive charge of +1.