Question

55. Write the shortened notation for the ion symbol next to each element given below. A.) Calcium loses 2 negative electronsB.) Chlorine gains 1 negative electronsC.) Hydrogen gains 1 negative electron

Answer 1

We are asked to write shortened notation for the ion symbol next to each element given below.

Convention:

First of all, write the shortened notation of the element.

The superscript (at the top) is the number of charges on the ion and also a + sign for a positive ion and - sign for a negative ion.

When an atom loses an electron then the charge is positive (+).

When an atom gains an electron then the charge is negative (-)

A.) Calcium loses 2 negative electrons

Since it loses 2 electrons it will have 2+ superscript.

Calcium has an atomic number of 20 (the number of protons)

$_{20}Ca^{2+}$

B.) Chlorine gains 1 negative electron

Since it gains 1 electron it will have - superscript (we don't write 1 when the charge is 1)

Chlorine has an atomic number of 17 (the number of protons)

$_{17}Cl^-$

C.) Hydrogen gains 1 negative electron

Since it gains 1 electron it will have - superscript

Hydrogen has an atomic number of 1 (the number of protons)

$_1H^-$