Which is the charge that results when oxygen becomes an ion?
Question
Which is the charge that results when oxygen becomes an ion?
Solution
When an atom becomes an ion, it gains or loses electrons to achieve a full outer electron shell. Most often, atoms strive to reach the stable configuration of eight electrons in their outer shell, also known as the octet rule.
Oxygen has 6 electrons in its outer shell. To achieve a full outer shell of 8 electrons, it needs to gain 2 more electrons.
When an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged because electrons are negatively charged. Each electron has a charge of -1, so gaining 2 electrons results in a charge of -2.
Therefore, when oxygen becomes an ion, it gains 2 electrons and thus has a charge of -2.
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