What is the formula of the ion formed when aluminum achieves a noble-gas electron configuration?

A. Al^2–

B. Al^3+

C. Al^2+

D. Al–

E. P^3–

Question

What is the formula of the ion formed when aluminum achieves a noble-gas electron configuration?

A. Al^2–

B. Al^3+

C. Al^2+

D. Al–

E. P^3–

jfraser · Answer

what's the quickest way for aluminum to reach a noble gas configuration? by adding electrons, or removing?

anonymous · Answer

is the right answer B?

anonymous · Answer

It's easier to remove

jfraser · Answer

it is, but tell me why, just like the last one

anonymous · Answer

Aluminum is the 3rd row of our periodic table, so to make its short-hand electron configuration, we start with the noble gas on the end of the previous row, neon in this case. Being in the 3A column, Al has 3 electrons in the outer shell

anonymous · Answer

So that is why I assumed the correct answer was B

anonymous · Answer

@JFraser

jfraser · Answer

the row isn't important for determining valence electrons, it's the column that's important

anonymous · Answer

So the right answer is B? @JFraser

jfraser · Answer

yes, the right answer is B, but I'm more concerned with you knowing why.