An unknown element, X, reacts with bromine to form the ionic compound in the image. If the ion X has 10 electrons, what is the identity of element X?

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Mg
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Ne
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Na
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Li

1 answer

If the ion X has 10 electrons, it means that it has lost 1 electron to become positively charged (since the neutral atom would have 11 electrons). Therefore, the element must be sodium (Na), which typically has 11 electrons and loses one electron to form a Na+ ion.

So, the identity of element X is Na (sodium).