Solving an Isotope Cation Symbol Problem

[blue4882]

Can somebody please help me with this problem? i Would really appreciate it.

One isotope of a metallic element has mass number 59 and 31 neutrons in the nucleus. The cation derived from the isotope has 26 electrons. Write the symbol for this cation.

 

[chroot]

First, figure out how many protons the nucleus has. The total mass of an atom is the sum of its protons and neutrons (electrons have negligible mass).

Once you know the number of protons, you know the symbol for the element. You also know how many electrons it has when it is not ionized.

If the atom you're given, with 26 electrons, has one more electron than it normally would, then it is negatively charged by one unit.

- Warren