If an ion has 12 protons in its nucleus and 10 electrons outside the nucleus, what is the overall charge on the ion?


+2

–2


–1


+1

To determine the overall charge on an ion, you need to compare the number of protons (positive charge) and the number of electrons (negative charge).

In this case, the ion has 12 protons and 10 electrons.

Since protons have a positive charge and electrons have a negative charge, the ion will have a net positive charge if it has more protons than electrons, and a net negative charge if it has more electrons than protons.

In this case, since the ion has 12 protons and only 10 electrons, it has more protons than electrons. Therefore, the overall charge on the ion is +2.