Question

1. if a is a chlorine atom, which one would represent a chlorine ion with a -1 charge? why? which would represent chlorine with a +1 charge? why? which would represent chlorine with a +2 charge? why?

Explanation:

Step1: Understand ion - formation principles

An atom forms an ion by gaining or losing electrons. A negatively - charged ion (anion) is formed when an atom gains electrons, and a positively - charged ion (cation) is formed when an atom loses electrons. Chlorine has an atomic number of 17, with an electron configuration of 2, 8, 7 in its neutral state.

Step2: Determine the chlorine ion with a - 1 charge

A chlorine ion with a - 1 charge (Cl⁻) is formed when chlorine gains 1 electron. This fills its outer shell (valence shell) to have 8 electrons (a stable octet). So, a chlorine atom that has gained 1 electron represents a Cl⁻ ion.

Step3: Determine the chlorine ion with a + 1 charge

A chlorine ion with a + 1 charge (Cl⁺) is formed when chlorine loses 1 electron. This leaves it with 16 electrons. Its electron configuration would then be like that of sulfur in terms of the number of electrons, and it has a positive charge because there are more protons (17) than electrons (16).

Step4: Determine the chlorine ion with a + 2 charge

A chlorine ion with a + 2 charge (Cl²⁺) is formed when chlorine loses 2 electrons. It then has 15 electrons. Its electron configuration is similar to that of phosphorus in terms of the number of electrons, and it has a positive charge due to having 17 protons and 15 electrons.

Answer:

• Chlorine ion with - 1 charge: A chlorine atom that has gained 1 electron, because gaining 1 electron gives it a stable octet.
• Chlorine ion with + 1 charge: A chlorine atom that has lost 1 electron, because losing 1 electron results in more protons than electrons.
• Chlorine ion with + 2 charge: A chlorine atom that has lost 2 electrons, because losing 2 electrons leads to a significant positive - charge imbalance with more protons than electrons.