Question

Chloride ion and chlorine atom have:
A. same size
B. same stability
C. same nuclear charge
D. same electronic configuration

Answer 1

In order to solve the given question, we must have good knowledge of the structure of atoms. The concept of Lewis bonding will help us know about bonding. As we know that an ion is basically an electrically charged particle, and atoms are neutral.

Complete Solution :
- We should know the configuration of chlorine atoms and chloride ions. As we know that there are 17 electrons in the Cl atom and 18 electrons in the chloride ion.
- The electronic configuration of Cl is 2, 8, 7 and chloride ion is 2, 8, 8. Here, we can see that both are having different electronic configurations.
It is found that chloride ion and chlorine atom does not have same size and same stability
- As we know that chloride ion is formed when one electron is added to the chlorine atom. But, there is no change in the composition of the nucleus, in addition to one electron.
- Therefore, the number of protons is the same in both of the species. Hence, have the same nuclear charge.
- Hence, we can conclude Chloride ion and chlorine atom have same nuclear charge.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: - We must note that if the electron is increased in the chlorine atom to form the corresponding chloride ion, the configuration of the nucleus doesn’t change. Hence, the number of protons is the same.
- We must learn to write electronic configurations correctly.