Question
The oxygen's charge is 2- because it
gained 2 electrons
lost 2 protons
gained 2 electrons
lost 2 protons
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Oxygen has a charge of 2- because it **gained 2 electrons**.
In its neutral state, oxygen has 8 protons and 8 electrons. When it gains 2 additional electrons, it has a total of 10 electrons, resulting in a net negative charge of 2 (8 protons - 10 electrons = -2 charge). The loss of protons is not how an atom achieves a negative charge; rather, it is the gain of electrons that creates a negative charge.
In its neutral state, oxygen has 8 protons and 8 electrons. When it gains 2 additional electrons, it has a total of 10 electrons, resulting in a net negative charge of 2 (8 protons - 10 electrons = -2 charge). The loss of protons is not how an atom achieves a negative charge; rather, it is the gain of electrons that creates a negative charge.