GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

GK

CHEMISTRY

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
What happens when a neutral calcium atom becomes a calcium ion with a +2 charge?
A
The atom loses two protons
B
The atom loses two electrons
C
The atom gains two electrons
D
The atom gains two protons
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -For example, a neutral calcium atom, with 20 protons and 20 electrons, readily loses two electrons. This results in a cation with 20 protons, 18 electrons, and a 2+ charge. It has the same number of electrons as atoms of the preceding noble gas, argon, and is symbolized Ca2+.

Detailed explanation-2: -That +2 charge is a result of calcium having 2 valence electrons that get donated to another ion to make a compound. When the calcium donates its electrons, it becomes electron-deficient and has 2 more protons than electrons. This positively charged calcium ion is known as a cation.

Detailed explanation-3: -A stable calcium atom contains 20 protons and 20 electrons. If 2 electrons are lost, then there are more protons than the electrons. Therefore, a calcium ion with a net positive charge is formed. This type of ion is called a cation.

Detailed explanation-4: -The formation of the calcium ion and chloride ion differ because calcium atoms are metal atoms in Group 2 of the Periodic Table. It has 2 electrons in its valence shell, which it loses to form a calcium ion with a charge of +2. It is +2 because it now has two more positively charged protons than electrons.

Detailed explanation-5: -Calcium atom attains the electronic configuration of by losing two electrons from its valence shell.

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