Find the total charge. then decide whether you have an atom or an ion

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on determining the total charge of sodium and fluorine atoms and identifying whether they are atoms or ions. The calculations provided clarify that sodium with 11 protons and 10 electrons is a cation with a total charge of +1, while sodium with equal protons and electrons is neutral. Fluorine with 9 protons and 9 electrons is also neutral, while fluorine with 10 electrons is an anion with a total charge of -1. The distinction between atoms and ions is based on the relationship between the number of protons and electrons.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atomic structure, specifically protons and electrons
  • Knowledge of charge calculations for ions and atoms
  • Familiarity with the terms cation, anion, and neutral atom
  • Basic mathematical skills for performing simple arithmetic
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of atomic charge in more detail
  • Learn about the periodic table and how atomic structure varies across elements
  • Explore the differences between ionic and covalent bonding
  • Investigate the properties of ions and their role in chemical reactions
USEFUL FOR

Students studying chemistry, particularly those learning about atomic structure and the properties of ions and atoms.

Pre-AlgebraDude
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I don't know much about science, but I got a problem on my math homework that says "find the total charge. then decide whether you have an atom or an ion".

Sodium:Electrons-10
Protons-11
Total Charge-?
Atom or Ion?-?

Sodium:Electrons-11
Protons-11
Total Charge-?
Atom or Ion?-?

Fluorine:Electrons-9
Protons-9
Total Charge-?
Atom or Ion?-?

Fluorine:Electrons-10
Protons-9
Total Charge-?
Atom or Ion?-?

Please reply asap. No, I'm not repeating myself. This is what it says.
 
Last edited:
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Hey man, when you post from now on in the homework forums it helps to show some effort. Although, for this problem, the solution is fairly short so if you were able to show work you would probably have the answer.

Remember, the change on an electron is -1 and a proton has a charge of +1

So if I had an atom with 2 protons and 1 electron, I would have an atom with a total charge of +1.

Knowing this, you should be able to solve the rest of the assignment. It should also be noted that the answer as to what type of atom it is, depends on the total charge.
 
Anion => #electons > #protons
Cation => #electons < #protons
Neutral => #electons = #protons
--------------------------------
Therefore,
1) Na ^ {11 - 10} = Na ^ {+} = Cation w/total charge = +1

2) Na ^ {11-11} = Na = Neutral w/total charge = 0

3) F ^ {9-9} = F = Neutral w/total charge = 0

4) F ^ {9 - 10} = F ^ {-} = Anion w/total charge = -1

Btw, what do you atom/ion? Ions can be atoms..or molecules.
All your examples are atoms! But only two can be called ions...:wink:
 
Last edited:

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