High School

Which element forms an ion with the same charge as the ammonium ion?

A) Potassium
B) Chlorine
C) Calcium
D) Oxygen
E) Nitrogen

Answer :

Final answer:

The element that forms an ion with the same charge as the ammonium ion is E) Nitrogen.

Explanation:

The ammonium ion ([tex]\(NH_4^+\)[/tex]) has a positive charge of +1. Nitrogen option E), in its most common form, has a valency of -3. To balance the charge in the ammonium ion, four nitrogen atoms combine, resulting in a net charge of +1 (4 × (-3) = -12; -12 + 1 = -11). Therefore, nitrogen forms an ion with the same charge as the ammonium ion.

Understanding the valency and the number of atoms involved in the formation of ions is crucial in predicting the charge of ions. In this case, nitrogen's valency of -3, combined with the appropriate number of atoms, achieves the +1 charge seen in the ammonium ion. This knowledge is fundamental in chemistry, especially when studying the behavior of elements in the formation of ions and compounds.