{"id":207137,"date":"2025-04-18T11:06:32","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T11:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learnexams.com\/blog\/?p=207137"},"modified":"2025-04-18T11:06:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T11:06:34","slug":"what-is-the-charge-on-the-ion-formed-by-aluminum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnexams.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/18\/what-is-the-charge-on-the-ion-formed-by-aluminum\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the charge on the ion formed by aluminum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is the charge on the ion formed by aluminum?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A) 3\u2013
B) 3+
C) 5\u2013
D) 13+
E) None of the above<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The correct answer and explanation is :<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Correct Answer: B) 3+<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation (300 words):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aluminum is a metallic element with the atomic number 13<\/strong>, meaning it has 13 protons<\/strong> in its nucleus and, in a neutral atom, 13 electrons<\/strong> surrounding the nucleus. These electrons are arranged in energy levels or shells according to the pattern: 2 in the first shell<\/strong>, 8 in the second<\/strong>, and 3 in the third<\/strong> (2-8-3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aluminum is located in Group 13<\/strong> of the periodic table, which means it has three valence electrons<\/strong>\u2014the electrons in its outermost shell. When elements react, they tend to gain or lose electrons in order to achieve a stable electron configuration<\/strong>, often resembling the nearest noble gas (which has a full outer shell).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For aluminum, the nearest noble gas is neon<\/strong>, which has a configuration of 2-8. To achieve this stable configuration, aluminum loses its three valence electrons<\/strong>. When it does so, it no longer has the same number of electrons and protons\u2014now it has 10 electrons<\/strong> and 13 protons<\/strong>, resulting in a net positive charge of +3<\/strong>. This is because there are three more protons than electrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, the ion formed by aluminum is written as Al\u00b3\u207a<\/strong>, and it is called a cation<\/strong> because it carries a positive charge<\/strong>. This is a very common and stable oxidation state for aluminum, and it plays a key role in compounds like aluminum oxide (Al\u2082O\u2083)<\/strong> and aluminum sulfate (Al\u2082(SO\u2084)\u2083)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To clarify the incorrect options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n