What is the symbol of an ion with 16 protons, 18 neutrons, and 18 electrons? What is the symbol for an ion that has 16 protons, 16 neutrons, and 18 electrons?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answers:
- Ion with 16 protons, 18 neutrons, and 18 electrons:
Symbol: ³⁴S²⁻ - Ion with 16 protons, 16 neutrons, and 18 electrons:
Symbol: ³²S²⁻
Explanation:
Atoms are composed of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The number of protons determines the element. The element with 16 protons is sulfur (S). The number of neutrons affects the mass number, and the number of electrons affects the charge of the atom.
Step-by-step Analysis:
- First Ion:
- Protons: 16 (so the element is sulfur)
- Neutrons: 18
- Electrons: 18
The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons:
16+18=3416 + 18 = 3416+18=34
The charge is calculated by comparing protons and electrons:
16−18=−216 – 18 = -216−18=−2
So, the ion has a 2⁻ charge.
³⁴S²⁻ - Second Ion:
- Protons: 16 (element is still sulfur)
- Neutrons: 16
- Electrons: 18
The mass number is:
16+16=3216 + 16 = 3216+16=32
The charge is again:
16−18=−216 – 18 = -216−18=−2
³²S²⁻
Summary:
These are isotopes of sulfur because they have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. They are also ions because they have more electrons than protons, which results in a negative charge. A sulfur ion with two extra electrons is commonly found as S²⁻, particularly in compounds such as sulfides (e.g., FeS or H₂S). The notation helps identify both the specific isotope and the electrical charge of the particle.
