An element has six valence electrons. Which ionic charge will its ion carry?(1 point)
Responses
2–
2–
6–
6–
2+
2+
6+
2+
It has 6 negatively charged electrons in the outer shell.
If it grabs 2 more to fill the shell it will have a charge of negative two.
-2
You are correct. If an element with six valence electrons gains two more electrons to fill its outer shell, it will have a charge of 2-.
To determine the ionic charge an element's ion will carry, you need to consider the number of valence electrons it has. Valence electrons are the electrons located in the outermost energy level of an atom.
In this case, the element has six valence electrons. In general, elements tend to gain or lose electrons to achieve a full outer electron shell, which is usually eight electrons, following the octet rule.
Since the element has six valence electrons, it will tend to gain two more electrons to have a complete octet. Gaining electrons leads to a negative charge.
Therefore, the correct answer is 2-.