What is the charge of the unknown ion X of the ionic compound
AlX3
Answers
Know how ions form.
Learn the characteristic charges that ions have.
Construct a proper formula for an ionic compound.
Generate a proper name for an ionic compound.
So far, we have discussed elements and compounds that are electrically neutral. They have the same number of electrons as protons, so the negative charges of the electrons is balanced by the positive charges of the protons. However, this is not always the case. Electrons can move from one atom to another; when they do, species with overall electric charges are formed. Such species are called ions. Species with overall positive charges are termed cations, while species with overall negative charges are called anions. Remember that ions are formed only when electrons move from one atom to another; a proton never moves from one atom to another. Compounds formed from positive and negative ions are called ionic compounds.