Radicals

Chemistry Level 1

The atomic number of $C$ is $6$ and the atomic number of $O$ is $8$ . What is total number of electrons of $CO_3^{~2-}$ radical $?$ .

2 solutions

Nazmus Sakib
Sep 11, 2017

The total number of electrons of the radical $CO_3^{~2-}$ is:

$= C + (3 \times O) + 2$

$= 6 + (3 \times 8) + 2$

$= 6 + 24 + 2$

$= 30 + 2$

$= 32$

. .
Apr 17, 2021

The problem gave us the hint.

It is a carbonate ion is a negative ion.(By the $\ce { CO3 } ^ { 2- }$ .)

Then, it is $6 + 3 \times 8 = 30$ .

But, negative ions are formed when they lose their electrons.

So, $x ^ { -2 }$ , it means it lost 2 electrons.

Then, $30 + 2 = \boxed { 32 }$ .