MediumChemistryHigh School (9–10)GeneralAtoms and Molecules › Molecules, Ions and FormulaeConceptualNumerical
A tiny crystal of magnesium chloride, MgCl₂, has 350 ions of Mg²⁺.
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A tiny crystal of magnesium chloride, , has ions of . How many ions of does it have? Show that the crystal is neutral.
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
An ion is an atom or group of atoms with a charge. Losing electrons makes a cation (positive); gaining electrons makes an anion (negative); the protons do not change. An ionic compound is neutral: its charges add up to zero.
The worked solution
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. The chloride ions. .
Step 2. The charges. Positive: . Negative: .
Step 3. Together. , so the crystal is neutral.
Answer: chloride ions; the charges cancel.
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