Question

For the following processes that show the formation of ions, use the periodic table to indicate the number of electrons and protons present in both the ion and the neutral atom from which the ion is made.a. \(\mathrm{Ca} \rightarrow \mathrm{Ca}^{2+}+2 \mathrm{e}^{-}\) b. \(P+3 e^{-} \rightarrow P^{3-}\) c. \(\mathrm{Br}+\mathrm{e}^{-} \rightarrow \mathrm{Br}^{-}\) d. \(\mathrm{Fe} \rightarrow \mathrm{Fe}^{3+}+3 \mathrm{e}^{-}\) e. \(A l \rightarrow A l^{3+}+3 e^{-}\) f. \(\mathrm{N}+3 \mathrm{e}^{-} \rightarrow \mathrm{N}^{3-}\)

Short answer

a. Ca: 20 protons, 20 electrons; Ca2+: 20 protons, 18 electrons b. P: 15 protons, 15 electrons; P3-: 15 protons, 18 electrons c. Br: 35 protons, 35 electrons; Br-:35 protons, 36 electrons d. Fe: 26 protons, 26 electrons; Fe3+: 26 protons, 23 electrons e. Al: 13 protons, 13 electrons; Al3+: 13 protons, 10 electrons f. N: 7 protons, 7 electrons; N3-: 7 protons, 10 electrons

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Atomic Number of Calcium (Ca)

Look for the element Calcium (Ca) in the periodic table and find its atomic number, which is 20.

Protons and Electrons in Neutral Calcium (Ca)

In the neutral atom, the number of protons and electrons are equal. So, Calcium has 20 protons and 20 electrons.

Protons and Electrons in Calcium Ion (Ca2+)

The ion has a charge of +2, which means it lost 2 electrons. Calcium ion has 20 protons and 18 electrons (20 - 2). #b. Find protons and electrons for P and P3-#

Identify the Atomic Number of Phosphorus (P)

Look for the element Phosphorus (P) in the periodic table and find its atomic number, which is 15.

Protons and Electrons in Neutral Phosphorus (P)

In the neutral atom, the number of protons and electrons are equal. So, Phosphorus has 15 protons and 15 electrons.

Protons and Electrons in Phosphorus Ion (P3-)

The ion has a charge of -3, which means it gained 3 electrons. Phosphorus ion has 15 protons and 18 electrons (15 + 3). #c. Find protons and electrons for Br and Br-#

Identify the Atomic Number of Bromine (Br)

Look for the element Bromine (Br) in the periodic table and find its atomic number, which is 35.

Protons and Electrons in Neutral Bromine (Br)

In the neutral atom, the number of protons and electrons are equal. So, Bromine has 35 protons and 35 electrons.

Protons and Electrons in Bromine Ion (Br-)

The ion has a charge of -1, which means it gained one electron. Bromine ion has 35 protons and 36 electrons (35 + 1). #d. Find protons and electrons for Fe and Fe3+#

Identify the Atomic Number of Iron (Fe)

Look for the element Iron (Fe) in the periodic table and find its atomic number, which is 26.

Protons and Electrons in Neutral Iron (Fe)

In the neutral atom, the number of protons and electrons are equal. So, Iron has 26 protons and 26 electrons.

Protons and Electrons in Iron Ion (Fe3+)

The ion has a charge of +3, which means it lost 3 electrons. Iron ion has 26 protons and 23 electrons (26 - 3). #e. Find protons and electrons for Al and Al3+#

Identify the Atomic Number of Aluminum (Al)

Look for the element Aluminum (Al) in the periodic table and find its atomic number, which is 13.

Protons and Electrons in Neutral Aluminum (Al)

In the neutral atom, the number of protons and electrons are equal. So, Aluminum has 13 protons and 13 electrons.

Protons and Electrons in Aluminum Ion (Al3+)

The ion has a charge of +3, which means it lost 3 electrons. Aluminum ion has 13 protons and 10 electrons (13 - 3). #f. Find protons and electrons for N and N3-#

Identify the Atomic Number of Nitrogen (N)

Look for the element Nitrogen (N) in the periodic table and find its atomic number, which is 7.

Protons and Electrons in Neutral Nitrogen (N)

In the neutral atom, the number of protons and electrons are equal. So, Nitrogen has 7 protons and 7 electrons.

Protons and Electrons in Nitrogen Ion (N3-)

The ion has a charge of -3, which means it gained 3 electrons. Nitrogen ion has 7 protons and 10 electrons (7 + 3).

Key concepts

Atomic Number

Each element on the periodic table has a unique atomic number. This number represents the total number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. Protons are positively charged subatomic particles that dictate the identity of an element. For instance, Calcium with an atomic number of 20 has 20 protons. This number is crucial because it remains constant, even when the atom takes form as an ion. The atomic number tells us exactly how many protons are there and helps us distinguish one element from another.

Protons

Protons, located inside the nucleus of an atom, are essential to the structure of all matter. With a positive charge, protons balance the negative charge of electrons. The number of protons in an atom equals its atomic number, a key detail present in every elemental entry on the periodic table. For example, Phosphorus has an atomic number and thus 15 protons, while Bromine has 35 protons. Protons determine not only the identity of an element but also often dictate the overall behavior of atoms, especially when forming ions.

Electrons

Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus. Their number in a neutral atom equals the number of protons. However, when atoms form ions, they either lose or gain electrons. Gain occurs in anions, like the P\(^{3-}\), and loss happens in cations, like the Fe\(^{3+}\). This change leads to an imbalance, giving the ion a positive or negative charge. For example, Nitrogen neutral atom has 7 electrons, but in the ion form N\(^{3-}\), it has 10 electrons after gaining three more.

Periodic Table

The periodic table is more than a collection of all known elements; it is organized by atomic number, providing valuable information about the properties of each element. Each element's position helps predict its electron configuration, reactivity, and the formation of ions. For instance, elements on the left, such as Calcium, easily form positive ions by losing electrons. Conversely, elements on the right, like Bromine, tend to gain electrons, forming negative ions. The periodic table serves as an incredible tool for understanding the behavior of elements and their interactions.