Question

Kiki makes a table to compare the particles in a magnesium atom to those in a magnesium ion.

A 3 column table with 3 rows. The first column is not labeled but have entries protons, neutrons, electrons. The second column is labeled magnesium atom with entries 12, 12, 12. The last column is labeled magnesium ion with entries X, Y, Z.

She knows that a magnesium ion has an electric field that points away from the ion. What values should she use to complete her table?

X: 14
Y: 12
Z: 12
X: 12
Y: 12
Z: 10
X: 12
Y: 10
Z: 12
X: 12
Y: 12
Z: 14

Answer 1

X = 12, Y = 12, Z = 10.

Reason: the field pointing away means the ion is positively charged (Mg loses electrons). A common magnesium ion is Mg²⁺, so it has 12 protons, 12 neutrons (unchanged), and 12 − 2 = 10 electrons.