The Ti²⁺ ion is isoelectronic with the Ca atom. (c) What charge would Ti have to be isoelectronic with Ca²⁺ ?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the number of electrons in a neutral calcium (Ca) atom. Since calcium is element number 20 on the periodic table, a neutral Ca atom has 20 electrons.
2. Understand that Ca²⁺ indicates a calcium ion with a charge of +2, meaning it has lost two electrons compared to the neutral atom. Therefore, Ca²⁺ has 18 electrons.
3. Recognize that the Ti²⁺ ion, having a charge of +2, implies it has lost two electrons from its neutral state. Titanium (Ti) is element number 22 on the periodic table, so a neutral Ti atom has 22 electrons. Thus, Ti²⁺ has 20 electrons.
4. To find the charge Ti needs to have the same number of electrons as Ca²⁺ (18 electrons), calculate how many electrons need to be lost from a neutral Ti atom (22 electrons) to reach 18 electrons.
5. Determine the charge on the titanium ion when it has lost the calculated number of electrons. This charge will make it isoelectronic with Ca²⁺.

Key Concepts

Isoelectronic Species

Isoelectronic species are atoms or ions that have the same number of electrons, resulting in identical electron configurations. For example, the Ti²⁺ ion and Ca atom both have 20 electrons, making them isoelectronic. Understanding this concept is crucial for comparing the electronic structures of different elements and ions.

Charge of Ions

The charge of an ion is determined by the loss or gain of electrons relative to its neutral atom. A positive charge indicates the loss of electrons, while a negative charge indicates the gain. In the case of titanium (Ti), to become isoelectronic with Ca²⁺, which has lost two electrons, Ti must also lose electrons to match the electron count.

Electron Configuration

Electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals. For Ti, the neutral atom has an electron configuration of [Ar] 4s² 3d². When forming ions, the configuration changes based on the number of electrons lost or gained, which is essential for determining how many electrons Ti must lose to be isoelectronic with Ca²⁺.