Why does an ion have an electrical charge?

How does the size of a magnesium ion with a Zt charge compare with that of a sodium ion with a single + Charge?

  • 10 points, my science teacher is REALLY strict -.- So can anyone give me a nice, answer please ? 10 points. I'm having ALOT of trouble with this question. Please help. Infer: Magnesium & sodium atoms are about the same size. How does the size of a magnesium ion with a Zt. Charge compare with that of a sodium ion with a single + charge?

  • Answer:

    You wrote, "...magnesium ion with a Zt." Do you mean 2+? A magnesium ion has a +2 charge when it loses 2 electrons. A sodium ion has a +1 charge when it loses 1 electron. Both ions are isoelectronic, with 10 electrons each, but the Mg2+ has 12 protons in the nucleus and Na+ has 11 protons. Therefore, the Mg2+ ion has a greater nuclear charge and the 10 electrons will be closer to the nucleus of Mg2+ than the 10 electrons will be in Na+. Therefore, Mg2+ will have a smaller ionic radius than Na+.

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