Question

What is the expected oxidation state for the most common ion of element 2

Answer 1

Answer: 1+

Justification:

The ionization energies tell the amount of energy needed to release an electron and form a ion. The first ionization energy if to loose one electron and form the ion with oxidation state 1+, the second ionization energy is the energy to loose a second electron and form the ion with oxidation state 2+, the third ionization energy is the energy to loose a third electron and form the ion with oxidation state 3+.

The low first ionization energy of element 2 shows it will lose an electron relatively easily to form the ion with oxidations state 1+.

The relatively high second ionization energy (and third too) shows that it is very difficult for this atom to loose a second electron, so it will not form an ions with oxidation state 2+. Furthermore, given the relatively high second and third ionization energies, you should think that the oxidation states 2+ and 3+ for element 2 never occurs.

Therefore, the expected oxidation state for the most common ion of element 2 is 1+.