UN

(/President Ramon Magsaysay State University

(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-1683

Chemical Symbols and Ions

Introduction

In developing our ideas about the composition of atoms in the previous section, we
used the fact that atoms are electrically neutral to conclude that the numbers of protons and
electrons must be equal. When the number of protons and the number of electrons do not
much, the result is a species with a net charge, called an ion. Such species are no longer
atoms, and behaviour is markedly different from that of atoms.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, it is expected that the learner should be able to:
a. describe the basic features of ionic and covalent bonds;
b. use the periodic table to determine whether an atom forms a cation or an anion, and
determine its charge using the group number; and
c. recognize the structures of common polyatomic ions and name compounds that
contain them

Discussion

Symbols

Each of the elements has been assigned a chemical symbol that we can think of as a
shorthand way of representing the element. The symbol consist of one or two letters that
usually bear a resemblance to the English name of the element. For instance, carbon = C,
Chromium = Cr, Chlorine = Cl, Calcium = Ca, and Zinc = Zinc. Notice that the first letter is
capitalized, but if there is a second letter, it is not. Some of the elements have symbols have
Latin names. Some examples are Potassium (L Kaluim) = K, Sodium ( Natrium) = Na,
Silver (Argentium) = Ag, mercury (hydrargyrum) = Hg, and copper (cuprum) = Cu.(cf. the
periodic table of elements).

Ions

When an ions is derived from a single atom it is called a monoatomic ion. When
groups of atoms carry a charge they are called polyatomic ions. Monoatomic or polyatomic
ions may carry either negative or positive charges. Negatively charged ions are called anions,
and they contain more electrons than protons. Similarly, an ion with more protons than
electrons has a positive charge and is called a cation.

Monoatomic Ions

We write symbols for ions analogously to those for atoms, adding the charge on the
species as a superscript to the right of the atomic symbol. For monoatomic ions, the number
of protons still specifies the symbol we use. Table 6.1 provides some examples of
monoatomic ions. Notice that the monoatomic anions have names ending in –ide, whereas
cations simply have “ion” added to the name of the element

Table 6.1. 1 Examples of Monoatomic Ions

Cation Name Symbol Anion Name Symbol
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+ -
Sodium ion Na Fluoride ion F
Lithium ion Li+ Chloride ion Cl-
Potassium ion K+ Bromide ion Br-
Magnesium ion Mg2+ Sulfide ion S2-
Aluminum ion Al3+ Nitride ion N3-

Many monoatomic cations and anions exist. These ions can exist in the gas phase, and
many are important in atmospheric chemistry. But we encounter ions most frequently when
dealing with the chemistry of substances dissolved in water. For example, sodium atoms lose
an electron relatively easily to form the sodium cation, Na+. Because it still has 11 protons,
this ion retains the symbol of sodium, yet it does not behave at all like an atom of sodium.

Polyatomic Ions

Sometimes ions are composed of more than one element. The ion bears a charge because
the total number of electrons it contains is different from the total number of protons in the
nuclei of all of the atoms.

 A polyatomic ion is a cation or anion that contains more than one atom.

Figure 6.1.1 Dissolving NaCl in Water

The atoms in the polyatomic ion are held together by covalent bonds, but since the ion
bears a charge, it bonds to other ions by ionic bonding. For example, calcium sulfate, CaSO4,
is composed of a calcium cation, Ca2+, and the polyatomic anion sulfate, SO42–. CaSO4 is used
to make plaster casts for broken bones.

We will encounter only two polyatomic cations: H3O+, the hydronium ion, which
will play a key role in the acid–base chemistry, and NH4+, the ammonium ion.

In contrast, there are several common polyatomic anions, most of which contain a
nonmetal like carbon, sulfur, or phosphorus, usually bonded to one or more oxygen atoms.
Common examples include carbonate (CO32), sulfate (SO42–), and phosphate (PO43–). Table
6.2 lists the most common polyatomic anions.

The names of most polyatomic anions end in the suffix -ate. Exceptions to this
generalization include hydroxide (–OH) and cyanide (–CN). Two other aspects of
nomenclature are worthy of note.

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 The suffix -ite is used for an anion that has one fewer oxygen atom than a similar
anion named with the -ate ending. Thus, SO42– is sulfate, but SO32– is sulfite.
 When two anions differ in the presence of a hydrogen, the word hydrogen or the
prefix bi- is added to the name of the anion. Thus, SO42– is sulfate, but HSO4– is
hydrogen sulfate or bisulfate.

Table 6.1.2 Names of Common Polyatomic Anions

Mathematical Description

The behavior and interaction of electrical charges are important topics in physics, but
they also provide a basis for thinking about many aspects of chemistry. For our current
interests, we will point out just two fundamental ideas about electrical charge. First, opposite
charges attract each other and like charges repel one another. And second, electrical
charge is conserved. These two ideas have important implications for the formation if ions in
chemical process. First of all, because charged is conserved, we can say that if a neutral atom
or molecule is to be converted into an ion, some oppositely charged particle – most likely an
electron or another ion – must be produced at the same time. Moreover, because opposite
charges attract one another, some energy input is always needed to convert a neutral atom or
molecule into a pair of oppositely charged particles.
The statement that “opposites attract and likes repel” can be quantified
mathematically. Coulomb’s law describes the interaction of charged particles. The attraction
of opposite charges and the repulsion of like charges are both described mathematically by
q1 q2
one simple equation: F=
4 π ε0 r2
Here q 1 and q 2are the charges, ε 0 is a constant called the permittivity of a vacuum, and r is the
distance between the charges. F is the force the objects exert on one another as a result of
their charges.

CATIONS AND ANIONS

There are two types of ions called cations and anions.

 Cations are positively charged ions. A cation has fewer electrons than protons.
 Anions are negatively charged ions. An anion has more electrons than protons.
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The nature and magnitude of the charge on an ion depend on the position of an element in
the periodic table. In forming an ion, an atom of a main group element loses or gains
electrons to obtain the electronic configuration of the noble gas closest to it in the periodic
table. This gives the ion an especially stable electronic arrangement with a completely filled
shell of electrons; that is, the electrons completely fill the shell farthest from the nucleus.

For example, sodium (group 1A) has an atomic number of 11, giving it 11 protons and 11
electrons in the neutral atom. This gives sodium one more electron than neon, the noble gas
closest to it in the periodic table. In losing one electron, sodium forms a cation with a +1
charge, which still has 11 protons, but now has only 10 electrons in its electron cloud.

What does this mean in terms of valence electrons? A neutral sodium atom, with an
electronic configuration of 1s22s22p63s1, has a single valence electron. Loss of this valence
electron forms a sodium cation, symbolized as Na+, which has the especially stable
electronic configuration of the noble gas neon, 1s22s22p6. The sodium cation now has eight
electrons that fill the 2s and three 2p orbitals.
Magnesium (group 2A) has 12 protons and 12 electrons in the neutral atom. This
gives magnesium two more electrons than neon, the noble gas closest to it in the periodic
table. In losing two electrons, magnesium forms a cation with a +2 charge, which still has 12
protons, but now has only 10 electrons in its electron cloud.
+

In terms of valence electrons, a neutral magnesium atom, with an electronic

configuration of 1s22s22p63s2, has two valence electrons. Loss of these valence electrons
forms a magnesium cation, symbolized as Mg2+, which has the especially stable electronic
configuration of the noble gas neon, 1s22s22p6. The magnesium cation now has eight electrons
that fill the 2s and three 2p orbitals. +
+
+Sodium and magnesium are examples of metals.
 Metals are found on the left side of the periodic table.
 Metals form cations.

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 By losing one, two, or three electrons, an atom forms a cation with a completely filled
outer shell of electrons.
+
A neutral chlorine atom (group 7A), on the other hand, has 17 protons and 17
electrons. This gives it one fewer electron than argon, the noble gas closest to it in the
periodic table. By gaining one electron, chlorine forms an anion with a –1 charge because it
still has 17 protons, but now has 18 electrons in its electron cloud.

In terms of valence electrons, a neutral chlorine atom, with an electronic configuration

of 1s22s22p63s23p5, has seven valence electrons. Gain of one electron forms a chloride anion,
symbolized as Cl–, which has the especially stable electronic configuration of the noble gas
argon, 1s22s22p63s23p6. The chloride anion now has eight valence electrons that fill the 3s and
three 3p orbitals.

Chlorine is an example of a nonmetal.

 Nonmetals are found on the right side of the periodic table.

 Nonmetals form anions.
 By gaining one, two, or sometimes three electrons, an atom forms an anion with a
completely filled outer shell of electrons.

Sample Problem 6.1.1

PROBLEM: Write the ion symbol for an atom with: (a) nine protons and 10 electrons;
(b) three protons and two electrons.
ANALYSIS: Since the number of protons equals the atomic number, this quantity
identifies the element. The charge is determined by comparing the number
of protons and electrons. If the number of electrons is greater than the
number of protons, the charge is negative (an anion). If the number of
protons is greater than the number of electrons, the charge is positive (a
cation).
SOLUTION a. An element with nine protons has an atomic number of Answer: F–
: nine, identifying it as fluorine (F). Since there is one more
electron than proton (10 vs. 9), the charge is –1.

b. An element with three protons has an atomic number of Answer: Li+

three, identifying it as lithium (Li). Since there is one
more proton than electron (3 vs. 2), the charge is +1.

RELATING GROUP NUMBER TO IONIC CHARGE FOR MAIN GROUP ELEMENTS

Each of these ions formed from a main group element has the s and three p orbitals
filled with eight electrons. This results in the octet rule.

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 A main group element is especially stable when it possesses an octet of electrons in its
outer shell.

Because elements with similar electronic configurations are grouped together in the
periodic table, elements in the same group form ions of similar charge. The group number
of a main group element can be used to determine the charge on an ion derived from that
element.

 Metals form cations. For metals in groups 1A, 2A, and 3A, the group number = the
charge on the cation.

Group 1A elements (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) have one valence electron. Loss of this
electron forms a cation with a +1 charge. Group 2A elements (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba) have
two valence electrons. Loss of both electrons forms a cation with a +2 charge. Group 3A
elements (Al, Ga, In, and Tl) form cations, too, but only aluminum is commonly found in
ionic compounds. It has three valence electrons, so loss of three electrons from aluminum
forms a cation with a +3 charge.

All of the cations derived from group 1A–3A elements have an octet of outer shell
electrons except for Li+ and Be2+. Li+ and Be2+ have a 1s2 electronic configuration like helium,
the noble gas to which they are closest in the periodic table. Thus, these cations are especially
stable because they have a fi lled outer shell of electrons but they do not have an octet of
electrons.

 Nonmetals form anions. For nonmetals in groups 6A and 7A, the anion charge = 8 –
(the group number).

Group 6A elements have six valence electrons. Gain of two electrons forms an anion
with a –2 charge (anion charge = 8 – 6). Group 7A elements have seven valence electrons.
Gain of one electron forms an anion with a –1 charge (anion charge = 8 – 7).

Table 6.1.3 Ionic Charges of the Main Group Elements

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Figure 6.1.2 Common Ions Formed by Main Group Elements

Sample Problem 6.1.2

PROBLEM: Use the group number to determine the charge on an ion derived from
each element: (a) barium; (b) sulfur.
ANALYSIS: Locate the element in the periodic table. A metal in groups 1A, 2A, or 3A
forms a cation equal in charge to the group number. A nonmetal in
groups 6A and 7A forms an anion whose charge equals 8– (the group
number).

SOLUTION: a. Barium (Ba) is located in group 2A, so it forms a cation with a +2

charge; Ba2+.
b. Sulfur (S) is located in group 6A, so it forms an anion with a negative
charge of 8 – 6 = 2; S2–.

METALS WITH VARIABLE CHARGE

The transition metals form cations like other metals, but the magnitude of the charge
on the cation is harder to predict. Some transition metals, and a few main group metals as
well, form more than one type of cation. For example, iron forms two different cations, Fe2+
and Fe3+. Fe2+ is formed by losing two valence electrons from the 4s orbital. Fe3+ is formed by
loss of three electrons, two from a 4s orbital and one from a 3d orbital.
Because transition metal cations generally have additional d electrons that the nearest
noble gas does not, the octet rule is not usually followed. Figure 3.2 illustrates the common
cations formed from transition metals, as well as some main group elements that form more
than one cation.

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Figure 6.1.3 Common Cations Derived from Transition Metals and Main
Group
Elements, Some of Which Have Variable Charge

Reflection

Guide Questions:

1. Horseshoe crabs utilize a copper-containing protein called hemocyanin to transport

oxygen. When oxygen binds to the protein it converts Cu+ to Cu2+, and the blood
becomes blue in color. How many protons and electrons do each of these copper
cations contain?

2. Mn2+ is an essential nutrient needed for blood clotting and the formation of the protein
collagen. (a) How many protons and electrons are found in a neutral manganese
atom? (b) How many electrons and protons are found in the cation Mn2+? (c) Write
the electronic configuration of the element manganese and suggest which electrons
are lost to form the Mn2+ cation.

Suggested Readings

Smith, Janice G. (2010). General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry. The McGraw Hill
Companies, Inc. USA.

References/Additional Resources:

Brown, Larry, ET. Al. (2013). Chemistry for Engineering. – 2nd ed. Cengage Learning Asia.

Silberberg, Martin S. (2007). Principles of general chemistry I Martin S. Silberberg. - 1st ed.
McGraw Hill Companies. USA.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295076524

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Exercises

NAME _______________________________ SECTION/COURSE ________________

Exercises
Chemical Symbols and Ion

I. Give the ion symbol for each ion.

1. sodium ion 6. barium ion

2. manganese ion 7. oxide
3. stannic 8. lead (IV)
4. selenide 9. iron (II)
5. gold(III) 10. ferrous

II. Write the ion symbol for an atom with the given number of protons and
electrons.

1. 19 protons and 18 electrons

2. 35 protons and 36 electrons
3. seven protons and 10 electrons
4. 23 protons and 21 electrons
5. 16 protons and 18 electrons

III. How many protons and electrons are present in each ion?

1. Ni2+ 6. Au+
2. Se2– 7. Au3+
3. Zn2+ 8. Sn2+
4. Fe3+ 9. Sn4+
5. Cs+ 10. I–

IV. Use the group number to determine the charge on an ion derived from each
element.

1. Magnesium
2. Iodine
3. Selenium
4. Rubidium
5. Cesium

V. Answer the following questions.

1. Nitrogen rarely forms ionic compounds. How many electrons would nitrogen
have to gain to form an anion with an electronic configuration of its nearest
noble gas?
2. What noble gas has the same electronic configuration as each ion derived from
the elements in test III?

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