Question

check all of the following statements that are true about the ion whose symbol is given below. ca²⁺ the ion has 20 protons. the ion has gained two protons. the ion has 20 electrons. the ion has lost two electrons. the ion has gained two neutrons submit your answer

Explanation:

1. For "The ion has 20 protons": Calcium (Ca) has an atomic number of 20, which means the number of protons in a calcium atom (and its ion, as protons are in the nucleus and not lost/gained in ion formation) is 20. So this statement is true.
2. For "The ion has lost two electrons": The symbol \( \text{Ca}^{2+} \) indicates a cation with a +2 charge. A positive charge means the atom has lost electrons. Since the charge is +2, it has lost 2 electrons (because each electron has a -1 charge, losing 2 electrons gives a net +2 charge). So this statement is true.
3. For "The ion has gained two protons": Protons are in the nucleus and are not gained or lost during ion formation (ion formation involves electron transfer). So this is false.
4. For "The ion has 20 electrons": A neutral calcium atom has 20 electrons (equal to the number of protons). Since \( \text{Ca}^{2+} \) has lost 2 electrons, it has \( 20 - 2 = 18 \) electrons. So this is false.
5. For "The ion has gained two neutrons": Neutrons are in the nucleus and are not gained or lost during ion formation (ion formation is about electron transfer). So this is false.

Answer:

• The ion has 20 protons.
• The ion has lost two electrons.