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Question 1:

What is an ion?

A) A particle with a positive charge
B) A particle with a negative charge
C) A particle with a non-zero net charge
D) A particle with a neutral charge

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Explanation: The correct answer is C) A particle with a non-zero net charge. An ion is a particle that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a non-zero net charge. If an atom gains electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion (anion), and if it loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion (cation).

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Question 2:

Which of the following elements is likely to form a positive ion (cation)?

A) Chlorine (Cl)
B) Sodium (Na)
C) Oxygen (O)
D) Fluorine (F)

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Explanation: The correct answer is B) Sodium (Na). Sodium has one valence electron in its outermost energy level. It is more likely to lose this electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, resulting in the formation of a positive ion (cation) with a +1 charge.

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Question 3:

What happens to the electron configuration of an atom when it forms an ion?

A) It remains the same
B) It becomes more stable
C) It becomes less stable
D) It becomes a noble gas configuration

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Explanation: The correct answer is D) It becomes a noble gas configuration. When an atom forms an ion, it tends to gain or lose electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to a noble gas. By gaining or losing electrons, the ion's electron configuration becomes more stable, similar to the noble gas configuration.

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Question 4:

What is the general trend for the size of cations compared to their parent atoms?

A) Cations are larger
B) Cations are smaller
C) Cations have the same size
D) The size of cations depends on the element

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Explanation: The correct answer is B) Cations are smaller. When an atom loses one or more electrons to becomea cation, it results in a decrease in the electron-electron repulsion within the atom. As a result, the outermost electron shell contracts, and the cation becomes smaller in size compared to its parent atom.

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Question 5:

Which of the following pairs of ions would most likely form an ionic bond?

A) Na+ and Cl-
B) O2- and F-
C) K+ and K+
D) Mg2+ and N3-

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Explanation: The correct answer is A) Na+ and Cl-. Sodium (Na) has a tendency to lose one electron and form a +1 cation (Na+), while chlorine (Cl) has a tendency to gain one electron and form a -1 anion (Cl-). The opposite charges between Na+ and Cl- allow them to attract each other and form an ionic bond.