Question

Assuming the metals lose all their valence electrons, and the nonmetals gain electrons to complete the s-p subshells, which listing below shows the correct information for the element?
Elements
Electron Structure of Atom
Electron Structure of Ion
Net Ion Charge
Sodium
1s22s22p63s1
1s22s22p6
-1
Fluorine
1s22s22p4
1s22s22p6
-1
Aluminum
1s22s22p63s23p1
1s22s22p6
+3
A The listing for sodium is correct.
B The listing for fluorine is correct.
C The listing for aluminum is correct.

Answer 1

The building of all the profiles is correct; The total number of electrons is correct, as well as the filling of the shells to their entirety. However, some charge calculations are off. First, we see that sodium loses an electron in its structure. Hence, it acquires a charge of +1, not -1. Also, Fluorine gains 2 electrons in its 2p subshell. Thus, its charge is -2, not -1 and this is wrong too. The only correct answer is C; aluminum lose 3 electrons from its p-shell and hence it has a charge of +3.