what is the charge on an aluminum ion?
The charge on an aluminum ion can be determined by looking at its electron configuration. An aluminum atom, in its neutral state, has an atomic number of 13, meaning it has 13 electrons. The electron configuration of aluminum is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹.
To determine the charge on an aluminum ion, you need to consider whether it will lose or gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. Since the outermost energy level (valence shell) of aluminum is 3s² 3p¹, it has three valence electrons. Aluminum tends to lose these three valence electrons to achieve a stable configuration, similar to the noble gas neon.
When aluminum loses its three valence electrons, it becomes positively charged because it now has more protons than electrons. Each lost electron gives a +1 charge, so when aluminum loses three electrons, it forms an ion with a charge of +3. Therefore, the charge on an aluminum ion is +3.