Question

Identify the element described: "Never found alone, forms a +2 ion when bonding, and has the second-highest number of protons in its family."

a) Calcium
b) Iron
c) Magnesium
d) Aluminum

Answer 1

The element described is Aluminum (Al) which has 13 protons and forms a +3 ion when bonding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The element described as "Never found alone, forms a +2 ion when bonding, and has the second-highest number of protons in its family" is Aluminum (Al). Aluminum has 13 protons and 13 electrons in its neutral state. When it forms an ion, it loses three electrons, resulting in a +3 charge, or Al³+.