Chapter 2, Problem 2.71P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The monatomic ions formed by radium and selenium are to be determined.

Concept introduction:

An atom is a neutral species with no charge on it. It has an equal number of positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons.

The charged species formed by the gain or loss of electrons by atoms are called ions. Ions carrying positive charge are called cations and the ions carrying negative charge are called anions. Cations are formed by loss of electrons from a neutral atom.

$\text{X}\to \underset{\text{cation}}{{\text{X}}^{+}}+{\text{e}}^{-}$

Anions are formed by a gain of an electron by a neutral atom.

$\text{X}+{\text{e}}^{-}\to \underset{\text{anion}}{{\text{X}}^{-}}$