When naming metal elements with variable numbers of valence electrons, which of the following is used?

a)superscripts

b)roman numerals

c)subscripts

d)anions

Question

When naming metal elements with variable numbers of valence electrons, which of the following is used?

a)superscripts

b)roman numerals

c)subscripts

d)anions

aaronq · Answer

If they're metal "elements" and not ions, how could they vary in their number of valence electrons?

anonymous · Answer

Your question doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but I assume that you're talking about how to name the different metal ions that have different charges? For example, copper (II) sulfate and copper (i) sulfate?

If that's what you mean, the answer is B.
Hopefully that wasn't too confusing!