Aluminum has 10 electrons. What is its charge?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Aluminum typically has 13 electrons and is represented by the symbol Al on the periodic table. However, if we consider a hypothetical situation where aluminum has only 10 electrons, the charge can be determined by comparing the number of electrons to the number of protons in the atom.
In its neutral state, an atom has an equal number of protons and electrons. For aluminum, the atomic number is 13, which means it has 13 protons. If an aluminum atom has 10 electrons, it has lost 3 electrons. The loss of electrons results in a positive charge because electrons carry a negative charge. The charge of the atom can be calculated as follows:
[
\text{Charge} = \text{Number of Protons} – \text{Number of Electrons} = 13 – 10 = +3
]
Thus, with 10 electrons, aluminum would have a charge of +3, indicating that it is a cation (a positively charged ion). This cation is commonly represented as Al³⁺.
In chemistry, the charge of an atom plays a crucial role in its reactivity and interactions with other atoms. Aluminum is known to form cations easily due to its position in the periodic table, as it is located in group 13. When aluminum reacts with nonmetals, it tends to lose its three outer electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration, similar to that of noble gases. This process is known as oxidation, and it allows aluminum to participate in ionic bonding, particularly with nonmetals such as oxygen or chlorine.
In summary, if aluminum has 10 electrons, it carries a charge of +3, reflecting its tendency to lose electrons and form stable compounds in various chemical reactions.