Understand Specific Charge for AS Level Physics

[Simon1234]

Hello, i have recently started doing AS level physics and i don't understand specific charge.
My textbook stated ' An ion of Magnesium isotope (24 nucleon number, 12 proton number) has a charge of +3.2 x 10(to the power of negative 19) Coulombs.
The charge of a proton is : 1.60 x 10(to the power of negative 19)
As the ion has 12 protons in the nucleus, why isn't the charge (1.60 X 10^-19) x 12?
If anybody could explain it would be much appreciated:)

 

[ZapperZ]

Hint: if it isn't an ion, the net charge would be zero. You are forgetting the electrons surrounding the nucleus.

Zz.

 

[Simon1234]

Ohh, so is the relative charge of the ion +2?