Ion Chemistry Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

easy
Predict the ion formed by each: (a) calcium, (b) fluorine, (c) aluminum.

Solution

  1. 1
    Ca (Group 2) loses 2 electrons: Ca2+\text{Ca}^{2+}. F (Group 17) gains 1 electron: F−\text{F}^-.
  2. 2
    Al (Group 13) loses 3 electrons: Al3+\text{Al}^{3+}.

Answer

Ca2+,  F−,  Al3+\text{Ca}^{2+},\; \text{F}^-,\; \text{Al}^{3+}
Metals lose electrons to form cations; nonmetals gain electrons to form anions. The number of electrons gained or lost corresponds to achieving a noble gas configuration.

About Ion

An atom or group of atoms that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge (cation) or net negative.

Learn more about Ion →

More Ion Examples

Example 1 easy

Sodium ([formula]) loses one electron. Write the ion formed and its electron configuration.

Example 2 medium

An unknown ion has 10 electrons, 8 protons, and 8 neutrons. Identify the element, write the ion symb

Example 4 medium

Aluminum loses 3 electrons. What ion forms, and why is its charge positive?

← All Ion Examples Ion Concept