The aluminum atom______electrons to form an ion.
The ion that is formed is______.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The aluminum atom loses electrons to form an ion. The ion that is formed is Al³⁺.
Explanation
Aluminum (Al) is located in Group 13 of the periodic table and has an atomic number of 13, which means it has 13 protons and, in its neutral state, also 13 electrons. The electron configuration of aluminum is (1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1). This configuration shows that aluminum has three electrons in its outermost shell (the third shell), specifically in the 3s and 3p orbitals.
To achieve a more stable electronic configuration, aluminum tends to lose its three valence electrons during chemical reactions. By losing these electrons, aluminum attains the electron configuration of neon, a noble gas, which is particularly stable due to its full outer electron shell. The loss of three electrons transforms the neutral aluminum atom into a positively charged ion, known as a cation. The resulting ion is designated as (Al^{3+}), indicating that it has a +3 charge due to the loss of three negatively charged electrons.
This process of losing electrons is common among metals, particularly those in Groups 1 and 2, and those like aluminum in Group 13. The formation of cations is essential in various chemical reactions, including ionic bonding, where metals combine with nonmetals. For example, when aluminum reacts with oxygen (O), it forms aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), where aluminum ions (Al³⁺) combine with oxide ions (O²⁻).
In summary, the aluminum atom loses electrons to form a cation, specifically (Al^{3+}), contributing to its participation in various chemical and industrial processes. This behavior underscores the fundamental principles of ionic bonding and the pursuit of stability in atomic structures.