Question

Complete the table below. For example, in the first row decide whether Sc3+ is a cation or anion. In the second row, write the symbol for the ion that an atom of fluorine is mostly likely to form and then decide what type of ion it is.

Element Most likely ion
symbol of ion type of ion (cation or anion)
Scandium Sc^{3+}
Fluorine
Sulfur
Calcium
Sodium

Answer 1

Answer: Most likely ion symbol for given element is as follows.

• Scandium -
  `Sc^(3+)`
• Fluorine -
  `F^(-)`
• Sulfur -
  `S^(2-)`
• Calcium -
  `Ca^(2+)`
• Sodium -
  `Na^(+)`

Step-by-step explanation:

When an element loses an electron in order to acquire stability then it is called a cation. Metals always form cations and cations have a positive charge.

For example, scandium is a metal and
`Sc^(3+)` is a cation.

Atomic number of calcium is 20 (2, 8, 8, 2). So, it loses 2 electrons to acquire stability and hence forms
`Ca^(2+)` ion.

Atomic number of sodium is 11 (2, 8, 1). So, it loses 1 electron to acquire stability and hence forms
`Na^(+)` ion.

When an element gains an electron in order to complete its octet then it is called an anion. Non-metals always form anions and anions have a negative charge.

For example, atomic number of fluorine is 9 (2, 7). So, it will gain one electron to acquire stability and hence forms
`F^(-)` ion.

Atomic number of sulfur is 16 (2, 8, 6). So, it will gain 2 electrons to acquire stability and hence forms
`S^(2-)` ion.

Thus, we can conclude that most likely ion symbol for each given element is as follows.

• Scandium -
  `Sc^(3+)`
• Fluorine -
  `F^(-)`
• Sulfur -
  `S^(2-)`
• Calcium -
  `Ca^(2+)`
• Sodium -
  `Na^(+)`