# Homework Help: Math problem

1. Aug 18, 2005

### Pre-AlgebraDude

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: Aug 18, 2005
2. Aug 18, 2005

### abercrombiems02

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.

3. Aug 18, 2005

### bomba923

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...

Last edited: Aug 18, 2005
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