Select the correct answer.
An ion has a net charge of 3+. If this ion has 8 protons, how many electrons does it have?
A. 3
B. 5
C. 7
D. 8
E. 11
Answer (2)
An ion with a 3+ charge has lost electrons.
The ion has 8 protons.
Subtract the charge from the number of protons to find the number of electrons: 8 − 3 = 5 .
The ion has 5 electrons.
Explanation
Understanding Ions Let's break down this problem step by step. First, we need to understand what an ion is. An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost electrons, giving it an electrical charge.
Positive Charge In this case, we have an ion with a net charge of 3+. This means it has lost electrons, resulting in more protons (positive charges) than electrons (negative charges).
Protons and Electrons We know that this ion has 8 protons. In a neutral atom (an atom with no charge), the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons. However, since this ion has a 3+ charge, it means it has 3 more protons than electrons.
Calculating Electrons To find the number of electrons, we need to subtract the net charge (3+) from the number of protons (8). So, the calculation is: 8 − 3 = 5 .
Final Answer Therefore, the ion has 5 electrons.
Examples
Understanding ions is crucial in many real-world applications. For example, in batteries, the flow of ions creates an electric current. In medicine, ions play a vital role in nerve signaling and muscle contraction. Also, when you add salt (NaCl) to water, it dissolves into Na+ and Cl- ions, which conduct electricity, demonstrating how ions enable conductivity in solutions.
The ion has 8 protons and a net charge of 3+, indicating it has lost three electrons. By subtracting the charge from the number of protons, we find that the ion has 5 electrons. Thus, the correct answer is option B. 5.
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