Question

What are the steps in determining the charge of an ion via electron configuration?

Answer 1

The charge on an ion canbe determined by the number of electrons lost (then positive charge) or gained (then negative charge) from the outermost shell in that element. For example in case of Na

atomic number of Na = 11

electronic configuration = 2, 8, 1

For Na+ there is a loss of one electron hence, now electronic configuration will be = 2, 8

Hence, there is one positive chagre on sodium.

In case of Cl which has atomic number 17 its electronic configuration is given as = 2, 8, 7

When chlorine gaines one electron, it becomes as Cl- and now the electronic configuration becomes

as = 2, 8, 8

Hence, from counting the outer most shell electrons, number of charge on an ion can be determined for an ion.