How Many Protons, Neutrons, And Electrons Are In This Ion? \[${}_{80}^{204} \text{Hg}^{2+}\$\]A. \[$80 \, P^+, \, 124 \, N^{\circ}, \, 78 \, E^-\$\]B. \[$80 \, P^+, \, 124 \, N^{\circ}, \, 80 \, E^-\$\]C. \[$80 \, P^+, \,
Introduction
In chemistry, ions are atoms or molecules that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. Understanding the composition of ions is crucial in various fields, including chemistry, physics, and materials science. In this article, we will delve into the world of ions and explore how to determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in a given ion.
What is an Ion?
An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. Ions can be formed by the transfer of electrons between atoms or molecules, or by the addition or removal of electrons from an atom or molecule. The resulting ion has a different number of electrons than the original atom or molecule, which affects its chemical properties.
The Composition of Ions
The composition of an ion is determined by the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons it contains. Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom, while electrons orbit around the nucleus. The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number, which is a unique identifier for each element.
Protons
Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number, which is a unique identifier for each element. In the case of the ion {{}_{80}^{204} \text{Hg}^{2+}$}$, the atomic number is 80, which means it has 80 protons.
Neutrons
Neutrons are particles found in the nucleus of an atom that have no charge. The number of neutrons in an atom can vary, resulting in different isotopes of the same element. In the case of the ion {{}_{80}^{204} \text{Hg}^{2+}$}$, the mass number is 204, which means it has 124 neutrons.
Electrons
Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. The number of electrons in an atom determines its chemical properties. In the case of the ion {{}_{80}^{204} \text{Hg}^{2+}$}$, the charge is +2, which means it has lost 2 electrons.
Calculating the Number of Electrons
To calculate the number of electrons in an ion, we need to subtract the charge from the atomic number. In the case of the ion {{}_{80}^{204} \text{Hg}^{2+}$}$, the atomic number is 80, and the charge is +2. Therefore, the number of electrons is:
80 (atomic number) - 2 (charge) = 78
Conclusion
In conclusion, the composition of an ion is determined by the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons it contains. By understanding the atomic number, mass number, and charge of an ion, we can calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons it contains. In the case of the ion {{}_{80}^{204} \text{Hg}^{2+}$}$, the number of protons is 80, the number of neutrons is 124, and the number of electrons is 78.
Answer
The correct answer is:
A. ${80 \, p^+, \, 124 \, n^{\circ}, \, 78 \, e^-\$}
References
- Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach by Steven S. Zumdahl
- General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications by Linus Pauling
- The Elements by Theodore Gray
Further Reading
- Ionization Energy by Wikipedia
- Electron Configuration by Wikipedia
- Atomic Number by Wikipedia
Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding the Composition of Ions ====================================================================
Q: What is the difference between an atom and an ion?
A: An atom is a neutral particle that consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons. An ion, on the other hand, is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge.
Q: How do I determine the number of protons in an ion?
A: The number of protons in an ion is determined by its atomic number, which is a unique identifier for each element. You can find the atomic number of an element on the periodic table.
Q: What is the mass number of an ion?
A: The mass number of an ion is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. It can be found by looking at the atomic mass of the element on the periodic table.
Q: How do I calculate the number of neutrons in an ion?
A: To calculate the number of neutrons in an ion, you need to subtract the atomic number from the mass number. For example, if the mass number is 204 and the atomic number is 80, the number of neutrons is 204 - 80 = 124.
Q: What is the charge of an ion?
A: The charge of an ion is determined by the number of electrons it has gained or lost. A positive charge indicates that the ion has lost electrons, while a negative charge indicates that it has gained electrons.
Q: How do I calculate the number of electrons in an ion?
A: To calculate the number of electrons in an ion, you need to subtract the charge from the atomic number. For example, if the atomic number is 80 and the charge is +2, the number of electrons is 80 - 2 = 78.
Q: What is the difference between a cation and an anion?
A: A cation is a positively charged ion that has lost electrons, while an anion is a negatively charged ion that has gained electrons.
Q: How do I determine the type of ion (cation or anion) an element forms?
A: To determine the type of ion an element forms, you need to look at its position on the periodic table. Elements in Group 1 (alkali metals) and Group 2 (alkaline earth metals) tend to form cations, while elements in Group 17 (halogens) tend to form anions.
Q: What is the significance of the charge of an ion?
A: The charge of an ion is significant because it determines its chemical properties and reactivity. Ions with a positive charge tend to attract negatively charged ions, while ions with a negative charge tend to attract positively charged ions.
Q: How do I write the symbol for an ion?
A: To write the symbol for an ion, you need to include the atomic number, mass number, and charge of the ion. For example, the symbol for the ion {{}{80}^{204} \text{Hg}^{2+}$}$ is {{}{80}^{204} \text{Hg}^{2+}$}$.
Q: What is the difference between a monatomic ion and a polyatomic ion?
A: A monatomic ion is a single atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. A polyatomic ion, on the other hand, is a group of atoms that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge.
Q: How do I determine the type of ion (monatomic or polyatomic) an element forms?
A: To determine the type of ion an element forms, you need to look at its position on the periodic table. Elements that tend to form monatomic ions are typically found in the main group of the periodic table, while elements that tend to form polyatomic ions are typically found in the transition metals or the lanthanides.
Q: What is the significance of the type of ion an element forms?
A: The type of ion an element forms is significant because it determines its chemical properties and reactivity. Monatomic ions tend to be more reactive than polyatomic ions, and they tend to form compounds with other elements more easily.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the composition of ions is crucial in chemistry and other fields. By knowing the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an ion, you can determine its charge, chemical properties, and reactivity. This knowledge is essential for predicting the behavior of ions in various chemical reactions and for designing new materials and compounds.