Why does Na and K have a +1 charge and Mg and Ca have a +2 charge? I thought that the number of protons cancels out with the number of electrons, where does this charge come from?
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You're right if it was a neutral atom. However, when metal atoms react, they tend to lose one or more electrons from their outer shells.
Na and K are in group 1 of the periodic table and so have only one electron in their outer shell. When these metals react, they lose 1 outermost electron and as a result they form positively charged ions with a charge of +1. Similarly, Mg and Ca are in group 2 and so they lose 2 electrons to form ions with positive charge of +2.
Na and K are in group 1 of the periodic table and so have only one electron in their outer shell. When these metals react, they lose 1 outermost electron and as a result they form positively charged ions with a charge of +1. Similarly, Mg and Ca are in group 2 and so they lose 2 electrons to form ions with positive charge of +2.
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Elements in their elemental state are composed of atoms that do not have a charge. These are all metals and in their metallic state exist as neutral atoms. When metals react chemically they typically loose electrons to form positively charged ions. Main group metals generally loose all their valence electrons when they form ions.
Sodium and potassium are in group 1 so have 1 valence electron. When they loose that electron they form ions with a 1+ charge. Magnesium and calcium loose 2 electrons to form ions with a 2+ charge.
Sodium and potassium are in group 1 so have 1 valence electron. When they loose that electron they form ions with a 1+ charge. Magnesium and calcium loose 2 electrons to form ions with a 2+ charge.